Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. The word dementia describes a set of symptoms that can include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language.
These symptoms occur when the brain is damaged by certain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.Some years ago the outcomes for someone with Dementia was limited and normally resulted in that person going into residential care. 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 will have Dementia and almost everybody will know somebody with Dementia.
Being diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimer’s can be an extremely worrying and stressful time for the individual and their loved ones.
Our experience can help families during this time and the years after this diagnosis. People can still live with a good quality of life after diagnosis and we can support people with dementia to continue living at home safely and make their lives easier, whilst supporting the families around them.
Palliative care is appropriate for anyone of any age who is facing serious illness. It can be delivered alongside active treatments designed to try to prolong life at an early point in the disease process. It is also applicable at the end of life and into bereavement.
Palliative care neither hastens nor prolongs death. It celebrates life, even when time is limited. It regards dying as a normal process. During our initial meeting with you and your loved ones, we will spend time talking through the best ways that our care and support workers can help in this difficult time.
Our care and support staff are trained in end of life care and understand that the customer’s needs, wishes and preferences are paramount. Little things can really matter and we will do anything to improve a customer’s final days.
Some people have strong views on their care leading to death. They may have this written in a living will. This may address treatments a client may like to receive or that they may want to decline. We will discuss this with our customers where this is appropriate.
We train our care and support workers in palliative care and utilise charities such as Dying Matters to further develop our training and knowledge.