Living Well With Dementia /

It’s not the end of the road

Dementia Canterbury Educator Lee Andrews explains why there is a lot of living to do, following a diagnosis of dementia.

Dementia is the term used for over 100 conditions involving the brain where symptoms usually affect memory, and impact a range of everyday functions (such as language, problem solving, thinking and behaviour). Everyone with dementia is unique and symptoms affect people differently. Symptoms are also progressive, meaning they gradually worsen over time. The changes in the brain that are thought to cause dementia may have been slowly building up for many years, even decades, before a person begins to show clinical and more obvious symptoms.

Be reassured that occasionally forgetting a friend’s name, or losing your keys from time to time does not usually mean you have dementia. However, anyone who is worried about noticeable changes in their memory (or other related symptoms) is advised to discuss their concerns with a GP, ensuring other causes for these changes can be treated where appropriate. It is important to note that brain function can be affected by many things including stress, grief, depression and physical illnesses. However, if the symptoms are a result of dementia, then an early diagnosis provides an opportunity for access to medications, support, information and education – all important to continue living well.

While your GP can advise if a medication

is appropriate to trial, they will also be able to discuss a referral to Dementia Canterbury for education (for both the person given the diagnosis and their family members), as well as for ongoing support and participation in a range of social and community-based activity groups. Because much of the treatment for dementia is in the social realm rather than the medical, it is extremely important to maintain interests, social contacts, selfesteem and purpose in life. Those diagnosed with dementia are encouraged and supported to remain as independent as possible.

Through partnering with several local organisations, Dementia Canterbury can offer referred clients a host of exciting activities on a regular basis with a strong social component. Many also involve exercise and fitness. Between 2015 and

2017 Dementia Canterbury piloted and evaluated eight activity groups within their community-based programme, with extremely positive results for both the person living with dementia and their family members. The research findings were published last year in the Australian Journal of Dementia Care, and clearly support Dementia Canterbury’s vision that ‘receiving a diagnosis of dementia is seen not as the end of the road, but instead the start of a new part of the journey’.

ABOVE / Dementia Canterbury, through partnerships with local organisations, is able to connect those living with dementia to a variety of activities with social and physical components at their core – designed to assist with quality of life. There are groups for all interests including DIY, art, walking, baking, swimming, music and more. Pictured here is a community gardening group in action.

Lee Andrews is a NZ registered Occupational Therapist with over 30 years’ experience. She has been involved with Dementia Canterbury for over 10 years and is passionate about supporting those affected by dementia to live well, and to receive timely education as part of the dementia journey. dementiacanterbury.org.nz