Dementia care: Seven ways YOU can help people living with symptoms

DEMENTIA is a complex condition that has wide-ranging impacts on the lives of sufferers. But there are ways to help people living with symptoms.

Over 500,000 people in the UK have been diagnosed with dementia, with a 56 per cent rise in the number of people diagnosed with dementia from 2010/11 to 2015/16, according to NHS statistics analysed by Alzheimer's Research UK.

The word dementia describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language - but it can also affect mood and behaviour.

There are different causes of dementia - Alzheimer’s disease, or vascular dementia caused by a series of strokes.

Many people with the condition are encouraged to remain in their own homes for as long as possible.

A homecare service provider, Helping Hands, launched the Dementia Friendly Home project to educate the nation on how to make homes more pleasant places for people with dementia.

Helping Hands’ Dementia specialists share seven simple tips to make the home a more calming environment and prevent stress.

1. Place personal belongings strategically around the home as a talking point or distraction when a person is feeling confused.

Items from childhood, or photos of a childhood home can be particularly beneficial as earlier memories are often more vivid.

2. Cover mirrors and close curtains as soon as it gets dark, as reflections can cause confusion and unnecessary stress.

Shiny floors can also be confusing for those with dementia as it looks like water has been spilled.

Consider placing a rug on the floor and securing the edges to avoid slips or trips.

3. Reduce the number of patterned surfaces in the house, as sufferers may find these confusing.

Place plain rugs over patterned carpets or hang large photos on walls with bold wallpaper.

4. Dementia can have a significant impact on a person’s eyesight, so always keep rooms well lit.

5. If the house has stairs, place coloured tape on the edge of the first step to help to distinguish where the hallway starts or ends.

6. Place signs on cupboards and doors around the house with images of the contents inside.

Pictures are more memorable than words, so this will enable people with dementia to find items more easily.

7. Serve food on crockery that clearly stands out from the table and from the food on the plate. This will help people to clearly see what they are eating. Plates and bowls with coloured rims can also help with this.

 “Over the past 28 years we have seen how valuable it can be for people living with Dementia to remain in their own homes,” said Lindsey Edgehill, sales and marketing director at Helping Hands Homecare.

“However, Dementia is a complex condition and each person experiences the symptoms differently, so each may require different adjustments and levels of care, particularly as their condition progresses.

“We know that partners, friends and family members can feel powerless when a loved one is given a dementia diagnosis, but there are simple things that can be done to make the home environment a happier place for sufferers, whether it's their full-time home, or just an occasional place of visit.”

SOURCE: express.co.uk, Olivia Lerche
Its surprising how seemingly small adjustments at home can make such a difference.

Friends and families failing care home residents with nearly half not getting regular visits

Care homes are being forced to step in and tackle loneliness among their residents, with nearly half not receiving regular visits from their friends and families.

The new figures from care home review site, carehome.co.uk, reveal that 42 per cent of residents do not receive regular visits.

The figures sourced from a survey completed by care home owners, managers and staff as part of the carehome.co.uk Summer Survey, come as concerns grow about loneliness in older age and the ‘generation gap’.

Last year, the Local Government Association called for loneliness to be treated as a ‘major health issue’, while the Office of National Statistics recently revealed that the UK has the highest rates of loneliness in Europe.

Davina Ludlow, chair of carehome.co.uk, said: “Social care is one of the defining issues of our age, and yet we are far behind when it comes to taking care of our older friends and relatives – who are so often invisible in today’s society. While increases in life expectancy are undoubtedly to be welcomed, we urgently have to tackle its consequences – such as the creeping loneliness amongst older people.”

More than 80 per cent of care homes now have a designated activities coordinator to keep residents active and interacting socially.

Ms Ludlow added: “I commend those care homes that are stepping up their care and appointing dedicated coordinators to offer a diverse and exciting programme of activities to residents year-round. There are huge opportunities to bridge the generational gap by connecting the oldest with the youngest – helping both.

“As strains on the social care system continue to grow, and families are increasingly busy, activities coordinators play a crucial role in taking care of the most vulnerable in our society.”

Many care homes are doing their utmost to improve residents’ wellbeing by putting on a range of activities which includes entertainers, reminiscence days, pamper days, trips out as well as arts and crafts. There has also been a recent surge in residential settings offering intergenerational care where nurseries and schools visit care homes. A couple of care homes are now even going as far as running a nursery on the premises so young and old will be able to mix together every day.

SOURCE: carehome.co.uk, Sue Learner

Residents of flooded care home safe and dry after rescue

Residents of a flood-hit care home in Texas have been evacuated after an image of them sitting in waist-deep water was widely shared on social media.

Kim and Timothy McIntosh, daughter and son-in-law of the care home owner, posted the photograph on Twitter.

Fifteen elderly residents were moved from the La Vita Bella care home to a new nursing home in Alvin, Texas.

Once dry, residents posed for another photo showing them to be safe.

The original image showing elderly residents, and their cat, stuck in rapidly rising floodwater was widely shared on social media in an attempt to bring the situation to the attention of the emergency services.

Speaking to the BBC, Kim McIntosh said they tweeted the photograph in a bid to "get as much attention as possible to get them help."

Twitter-users were quick to respond, spreading the message online, and within a few hours the residents were rescued.

David Popoff, Galveston County Emergency Management Co-ordinator, confirmed the rescue operation to the Galverston County Daily News.

Timothy McIntosh thanked Twitter users for sharing the photograph, and the emergency services for rescuing the residents.

The new care home, some 15 miles (24km) from their previous residence, told CBS News that everyone was in good spirits.

However, social media users displayed concern for one resident from the original image who was missing from the second - the La Vita Bella cat.

In another happy ending for the residents of La Vita Bella, Bozo the cat is also safe and well.

SOURCE: BBC News, Trudy Lampson

The power of communication wins the day.

One social hour a week in dementia care improves lives and saves money

Person-centred activities combined with just one hour a week of social interaction can improve quality of life and reduce agitation for people with dementia living in care homes, while saving money.

These are the findings from a large-scale trial led by the University of Exeter, King's College London and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. These results were presented today (July 16) at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2017 (AAIC). The research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

The trial involved more than 800 people with dementia across 69 care homes in South London, North London and Buckinghamshire. Two 'care staff champions' at each home were trained over four day-long sessions, to take simple measures that such as involve talking to residents about their interests and decisions around their own care. When combined with just one hour a week of social interaction, it improved quality of life and reduced agitation.

Importantly, the approach also saved money compared to standard care. Researchers say the next key challenge is to roll the programme to the 28,000 care homes in the UK to benefit the lives of the 300,000 people with dementia living in these facilities.

Professor Clive Ballard, of the University of Exeter Medical School, who led the research, said: "People with dementia who are living in care homes are among the most vulnerable in our society. Incredibly, of 170 carer training manuals available on the market, only four are based on evidence that they really work. Our outcomes show that good staff training and just one hour a week of social interaction significantly improves quality of life for a group of people who can often be forgotten by society."

Dr Jane Fossey from the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Taking a person-centred approach is about really getting to know the resident as an individual—knowing their interests and talking with them while you provide all aspects of care. It can make a massive difference to the person themselves and their carers. We've shown that this approach significantly improves lives, reduces agitation and actually saves money too. This training must now be rolled out nationwide so other people can benefit."

Doug Brown, Director of Research for Alzheimer's Society, said:

"70% of people living in care homes have dementia, so it is vital that staff have the right training to provide good quality dementia care.

"We know that a person-centred approach that takes each individual's unique qualities, abilities, interests, preferences and needs into account can improve care. This study shows that training to provide this type of individualised care, along with activities and social interactions, has a significant impact on the well-being of people living with dementia in care homes. It also shows that effective care can reduce costs, which the stretched social care system desperately needs.

"Alzheimer's Society is committed to improving dementia care through research. We want to see interventions like this put into practice, and will continue to fund further research to improve the quality of life for people with dementia in their own homes, care homes and hospitals. But investment in research alone cannot rescue the broken system. The government must use the consultation on social care reform to deliver a long-term solution that addresses the desperate funding crisis in our current system and shares the cost of care across society."

The results are the findings of the Improving Wellbeing and Health for People with Dementia (WHELD) trial, the largest non-pharmacological randomised control trial in people with dementia living in care homes to date.

SOURCE: Medical Xpress, University of Exeter

Investment in research and long term application from the social care system will significantly impact on these efforts.

'Where there is disability there is still ability': Blind man completes 500ft wing-walk for charity

Fearless Mark Baxter stood on the wings of a plane as it flew at 135mph, 500ft in the sky, for Deafblind Awareness Week.

The 35-year-old charity worker has so far raised over £1,100 for Sense, a national charity that supports people who are deafblind and who have sensory impairments or complex needs.
Although registered blind, Mr Baxter from Crayford, did not let that stop him when he completed the wing-walking challenge last weekend.

On his JustGiving page, Mr Baxter wrote: “From an early age, I was diagnosed with a deteriorating eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa, which will slowly lead to blindness.
“We often forget how valuable sight and sound is to our everyday lives and I want to support the fantastic work Sense does across the UK and internationally to keep deafblind individuals active and independent by taking part on my first Sense charity challenge.

“Once again I will be taking to the skies and this time I will not be leaping from a plane. I will be attached to the wing of one, which includes 10 minutes of climbs, dives, and low level flybys at speeds of up to 130mph....all in aid of DeafBlind Awareness Week.”

Mr Baxter, who has a degenerative eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), has spent the last decade undertaking various challenges, including the London marathon, skydives and treks across the Sahara, UK’s Three Peaks and Iceland, determined to experience as much as he can, while he can.

His latest feat has helped him to raise over a thousand pounds for the disability charity Sense, who he began working for last year.

To be able to complete the challenge at Aerobatic Tactics, Damyns Hall Aerodrome in Upminster, Mr Baxter completed an extensive training programme to drop his weight within health and safety limits of 12st 2lbs (77kg).
Commenting on the experience, he added: “The wing-walk was an overwhelming experience and one I’ll never forget. I was so thankful to family, friends and colleagues who have shown their support.



“I really hope I can act as an inspiration for people who are going through a similar thing, and show them that where there is disability there is still ability.”

SOURCE: homecare.co.uk, Melissa McAlees

How wonderful and congratulations to Mr Baxter - not many would a have a go at this when registered blind.

Diagnosis with a cost: How dementia strains families and finances

 Diane Smith walks down the hallway with an infectious smile, greeting everyone she sees.  Today is one of her rare days off.  The cardiac and intensive care nurse is more often than not on the job.

“Sixty hours a week,” she describes her regular schedule.  “I work two shifts of overtime every week.”

It is the price Diane has to pay for her husband Ron Smith’s around-the-clock care.

“His behavior got more and more bizarre and he was getting lost driving in circles,” she remembers the signs two years ago.  “And he would go to the store and just get lost and forget where he was.”

“His behavior got more and more bizarre and he was getting lost driving in circles. And he would go to the store and just get lost and forget where he was.”

Not long after he started displaying the changes, Ron was in a car accident.  He had an MRI, and then came the diagnosis: vascular dementia.  A first and second opinion confirmed Ron had suffered strokes that went undetected until the imaging.  Ron was only 49.

Diane says Ron’s health quickly declined, and the father of three entered a Memory Care Facility in April 2015.

“Dementia is the single most expensive disease to manage,” Diane says.  “Not for the treatment, but for the care of these people because long-term very, very few people can stay at home and be managed at home with this disease process.”

The Alzheimer’s Association lists common dementia symptoms as loss of memory, communication and language.  The patients’ ability to focus and pay attention lessens, along with their reasoning, judgment and visual perception.

“He had come so close to hurting himself so many times that it wasn’t safe to keep him home,” Diane remembers.

Diane paid $45,000 out of pocket last year.  The Alzheimer’s Association says costs can exceed $90,000 a year, depending on the patient’s need.

“Room and board is solely the family’s responsibility,” explains. “It is never ending, never ending. If you can imagine your monthly budget with, you know, your bills or anybody else’s bills and now you got $4,000 added on to that. Bam! There you are. Yeah, it’s tough.”

Diane knows many families have a hard time making ends meet once a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, especially when a younger patient is involved.

 “There’s grants and there’s assistance for people who have the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, dementia and are over 60,” she says.  “That grant isn’t available to us due to his age.”

No matter the age, the Alzheimer’s Association says these diseases can strain families and finances, and many hesitate talking about it.

It is why Diane is sharing her experience.  She also recommends anyone whose spouse is diagnosed with dementia seek power of attorney before the condition worsens.

“I thought that because I had been married to him for 24 years I didn’t need it,” she calls to mind. “Now I’m in a position where we can’t sell our house because he can’t sign his part.”

SOURCE: Amy Lacey, ABC News
Sadly this is a story that has become a reality for many people looking after a loved one with dementia. Its so important to seek power of attorney in order.

Eight care homes run by the same firm are raided by police probing the deaths of 12 residents with 43 staff members quizzed over possible crimes

Police raided eight nursing homes and seized hundreds of pieces of evidence after tip-offs from social services.

Officers are investigating the deaths of 12 people in care homes run by Sussex Health Care between April 2015 and June 2017. 

Adrian Tilley was one of the bereaved relatives called to a police summit after his 78-year-old mother Valerie died.

He told the Mirror: 'We need to know what happened.'

Health bosses have also launched a series of unannounced spot checks across care homes.

Sussex Health Care runs 20 homes and provides beds for 580, including younger patients with physical and learning difficulties.

The death of a young adult is believed to be one of the cases under investigation as police determine whether criminal activity took place.

On Friday relatives were called to a meeting by Detective Chief Inspector Till Sanderson.

Mr Tilley – whose mother died after two falls at the Longfield Manor care home in Billingshurst, West Sussex – said he became emotional when listening to tales from other grieving relatives.

  

Debbie Ivanova has confirmed that the Care Quality Commission is working with police to investigate deaths dating back to 2015

'There were some terrible, tragic stories from other grieving family members in that meeting.

'It was very emotional. We all entrusted these homes to look after our loved ones and we need to know if there was wrongdoing or not.'

Sussex Police said the meeting was called so officers could 'meet family members and explain why police are involved'.

Representatives from West Sussex County Council, the NHS, Care Quality Commission and the Coroner for West Sussex also spoke to relatives at the meeting at County Hall in Horsham.

They were told how 17 officers have been assigned to the case – which could stretch into 2019.

Seized documents will be examined to determine if gross negligence or wilful negligence was a factor in the deaths.

In has been confirmed that 43 staff members will also be questioned as witnesses, though more may be called upon as the investigation develops.

The deaths under investigation could date back as far as April 13, 2015, when a legal change made it an offence for a care-worker to ill-treat or wilfully neglect a patient in their care.

As the case unfolds, adult social services will not refer new patients to the homes in question, relatives were told.

Sussex Health Care is registered in Jersey under joint chairmen Shiraz Boghani and Doctor Shafik Sachedina.

Mr Boghani also co-founded the Splendid Hotel Group and was crowned Hotelier of the Year at the Asian ­Business Awards 2016.

Families of care home residents who died were called to a summit to discuss the case's progression

Sussex Health Care gained accreditation from the Health Quality Service (HQS) in 2002 and the Investors In People standard in 2003.

The company's website says it focuses on care for older people.

'All of our homes are staffed by highly trained and dedicated carers and most offer specialist nursing care 24 hours a day. We pay great attention to the overall quality of life at our homes.'

The Care Quality Commission says it is carrying out an investigation in conjunction with the police probe.

Debbie Ivanova, deputy chief inspector of adult social care at the Care Quality Commission, confirmed the body is working with police.

'We carried out a series of unannounced inspections as a result of information of concern regarding SHC Clemsfold Group Ltd and SHC Rapkyns Group Limited that was passed to us by West Sussex County Council.'  

She said the CQC would 'publish full reports, detailing our findings and any enforcement action against the provider, as soon as we can'. 

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said there have been no arrests at this early stage.

'Detective Chief Inspector Till Sanderson invited families of people whose deaths we may be investigating to a private meeting at County Hall, Horsham.

'It was an opportunity to meet family members and explain why the police are involved.

'Partner agencies, together with the coroner, attended to answer any ­questions from the families which they are better placed to answer.'

A spokesperson for Sussex Health Care said the group's main priority was the care of its patients.

'Whilst the investigation is still under way it would not be appropriate for us to comment on its scope or on any specific actions that have been taken.

'Our priority at all times is the wellbeing of residents and we are confident that our homes and services continue to provide high quality care and support on a daily basis.

'We continue to work openly and transparently with the county, the clinical commissioning group and the police to assist with the investigation.' 

Grandmother Valerie Tilley died after two falls at one of the homes under investigation.

Her sister Christine Harris and her son Adrian Tilley were devastated by the death of the 78-year-old in November.

After suffering with dementia for two years she was admitted to Longfield Manor in July.

A picture shows her sipping a cup of tea at the home in Billingshurst, West Sussex, last August, where she lived for four months before suffering a fall during the night on October 29.

Christine, 69, said: 'She left her room and went wandering up two flights of stairs. It’s the sort of behaviour that is very common in people with dementia. 

'The carers found her trying to open the fire door and say she fell back and hurt herself.'

Valerie was taken to hospital but was discharged the following day. 

She suffered a second fall three days later on November 1 after leaving her room in the night once again.

Staff found her unconscious and she was taken to hospital where she was found to be bleeding on the brain. She died on November 7.

Christine said she and her nephew Adrian – Valerie’s son – need answers.

'We want to know what measures were put in place to protect Valerie after her first fall.'

Plumber Adrian, 56, said: 'It was a relief to be invited to this meeting. I welcome the investigation into my mother’s death. Both Christine and I need to know what happened.'

A Care Quality Commission inspection of the home last October rated its service as 'Good' – but the issue of safety 'required improvement'.

SOURCE: MailOnline, Sebastian Murphy-Bates