When you, or someone you know, is affected by Dementia or memory concerns, finding the right services can feel daunting. The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Adviser Service can help you find exactly what local support is best for you, even if you do not have a formal diagnosis. The service is available across County Durham, including Consett and surrounding areas, for those with Dementia or memory concerns along with their carers and family members.

Their Dementia Advisers will:

  • Listen to your needs and offer tailored information.
  • Provide advice on various areas from joining social groups in your area, to managing your money.
  • Link you up with other local professionals and services.
  • Provide support for you to access the services they refer you to so that you aren’t alone.

The Alzheimer’s Society report that 91% of people affected by Dementia say having a Dementia Adviser makes their life better.

If you would like support, as a person with dementia, a carer, or as a family member then please don’t hesitate to call the service on 0191 3890400 or email durhamandchester@alzheimers.org.uk

About Dementia

Dementia affects one in 14 people over the age of 65, however, it can affect anyone of any age (being that 42,000 people in the UK under 65 have dementia), with 520,000 people in the UK currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, which is rising.

What is dementia?

Dementia may include symptoms such as loss of memory, sight and hearing problems, difficulties with language, problem-solving, and thinking. This can depend on which part of the brain is damaged. To start with, some of these problems can seem small but can lead to bigger problems that affect day to day life.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is one type of dementia and this occurs when connections between brain cells are lost because plaques form causing the nerve cells to die and a loss of brain tissue. To compound this, people with Alzheimer’s have fewer chemical messengers (important chemicals which help send signals between cells), but there are some drug treatments which can boost the efficiency of these systems and help the symptoms.

Therapies

As there is no cure for this disease, the drugs that are used are Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine, and Memantine, all of which can be used to slow down the progression of the disease.

Reducing your risk & Risk factors

The Alzheimer’s Society website includes a very helpful section on all the ways that can reduce the risk of getting dementia. Some of which include; being physically active, eating healthily, not smoking, drinking less alcohol, and taking control of your health. In England, the NHS recommends a check at your GP if you are worried about your memory or are noticing signs of dementia.

Join Dementia Research

Join Dementia Research is a service to help those with dementia and make a difference in the world. Over 25,000 people have signed up to Join Dementia Research since late 2016. Registering to join is simple; You have to be over 18, you can sign up on their website (https://www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk/), or call their helpline (0300 222 11 22).

For more information about dementia and Alzheimer’s research, you can visit the Alzheimer’s Society website (https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/).


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