Dementia Action Week – the importance of early diagnosis and the right kind of care

We’re raising awareness for Dementia Action Week as we look at early diagnosis, why it’s important, and why activities are the difference between living and existing 

This week (19-25th May) is Dementia Action Week. Dementia Action Week is a time for people to unite and raise awareness for taking action to help people living with dementia.  

This year’s focus is on diagnosis, which brings to the forefront one of the biggest challenges in helping people with dementia to continue to live full and enriching lives. Despite statistics showing nearly one million people live with dementia in the UK, these figures could in reality be much higher as reports suggest one in three people living in the UK with dementia do not have a diagnosis. 

Living with dementia, but without a formal diagnosis, poses a significantly heightened risk to a person’s health and wellbeing. Without a diagnosis, someone living with dementia may not have access to the same level of support and care that someone with a diagnosis would, which as dementia progresses becomes all the more important to maintaining their quality of life and wellbeing. 

What can happen without a diagnosis?

• Increased exposure to unsafe or inappropriate activities: People with undiagnosed dementia often remain in their own homes, or without the necessary support, far longer than they should. As a result, they are at risk of undertaking potentially dangerous activities such as cooking or driving or even managing their finances, which can be unsafe due to impaired judgement or cognitive decline. Though they may receive care from friends and relatives, dementia often requires professional, specialist and round-the-clock care for people to continue to live safe and happy lives.  

• Higher hospitalisation rates: People with undiagnosed dementia staying in their homes longer than they should, or without appropriate support they need, means they are much more likely to be administered to hospital as a result, and more likely to require longer stays. Without a network of care records in place, hospitals will be less able to cater to individual needs of people living with dementia. 

• Social withdrawal and isolation: Without a formal diagnosis, there is often a lack of appropriate care in place that comes, for example, if someone is living in a care home that specialises in dementia. As a result, withdrawal from society can happen as people living with dementia struggle to engage in social and community activities. Care homes often utilise specially tailored activity programmes that foster community and togetherness in care homes, and without a diagnosis, that framework of support is missing. 

• A decline in emotional wellbeing: Undiagnosed dementia can contribute to anxiety, depression and feelings of frustration and helplessness. Without a diagnosis and the network of support and specialised care that comes with it, someone living with dementia may feel themselves adrift and isolated from the world around them, which then makes the points mentioned above all the more likely to happen. 

 

Spotting the signs of dementia early 

This year’s Dementia Action Week is also about knowing how to spot the signs of dementia so an early diagnosis can be made. This is especially important, as it has been reported by Alzheimer’s Society that a significant number of UK adults are unaware of common dementia symptoms, including problems with vision, communication and mood changes. For example, one in ten people could not name a single dementia symptom, and over 60% were unaware that vision problems could be a sign.

You can read all about how to spot and understand the signs of dementia by reading this page from Alzheimer’s Society, but the main symptoms of dementia to look out for are: 

Memory loss: For example, forgetting things that happened recently, problems with recall. 

Difficulty concentrating, planning or organising: Struggling to make decisions, solve problems or follow a series of steps (such as cooking a meal). 

Problems with language and communication: For example, difficulties finding the right words, struggling to follow a conversation. 

Misunderstanding what is being seen: For example, misidentifying things, struggling to judge distance (such as on stairs), and misinterpreting reflections, or hallucinating. 

Being confused about time or place: Losing track of the time or date or becoming confused about where they are. 

Mood changes or difficulty controlling emotions: Becoming unusually anxious, irritable, sad or frightened, losing interest in things and personality changes. 

 

How can you help raise awareness?

This year, Dementia Action Week is joining forces with the Forget Me Not Appeal, Alzheimer's Society’s flagship fundraising campaign. Click here to find out more about how to donate and receive your pin page to help people living with dementia access the care and support they need. 

 

The difference a diagnosis can make 

It was reported that statistically, 91% of people affected by dementia say there are benefits to getting a diagnosis, and many of those benefits serve as the solutions to the issues posed above. With a diagnosis comes a network of specialised care to ensure that mental and physical wellbeing is maintained.  

It means that people living with dementia have the option of moving into a care home community and can be cared for by care staff who are equipped to help them achieve higher standards of quality of life, and ensure best practices of clinical care. In a care community that can offer support and specialised care and attention to specific needs of individuals with dementia, they can continue to live full and meaningful lives, rather than just existing. 

The importance of living, not just existing 

This concept is true of all people living in care, but perhaps none more so than those with dementia. In recent years, there has been more of a focus put on the idea of people living in care homes, especially those with dementia, continuing to live full and meaningful lives, rather than just existing. High levels of clinical care and medication management are increasingly being seen as ‘givens’ in what constitutes good quality care, and now more focus is being placed on providing good levels of emotional wellbeing, to ensure people remain happy, fulfilled and engaged in the world around them. 

Ultimately, one of the fundamental ways of changing the perception of care homes is showcasing them as vibrant, fun-filled communities where people can continue to live rich, full lives – to be the next chapter in their lives, rather than it just being their ‘final stop.’ 

This concept is especially important for people living with dementia, who are at risk of poor mental health and social isolation if not given the chance to continue to live meaningful lives and opportunities to retain cognitive function. One of the ways that this can be achieved is through the use of specially designed activities that foster community engagement and give people a sense of purpose. Often, activities can be the difference for someone living with dementia between living and just existing.  

Finding suitable activities for dementia: Helping to positively impact mental health, cognitive function and emotional wellbeing 

Maintaining an active and engaging lifestyle for individuals living with dementia is essential for their overall wellbeing.  

By collaborating to provide daily opportunities for participation in activities and social interaction, care providers can help those living with dementia feel more involved and connected. This, in turn, can positively impact their physical health, cognitive function, and emotional wellbeing, significantly enhancing their quality of life. 

There are many engaging activities for individuals living with dementia, from cooking, meditation, puzzles and games, from art therapy to singing, dancing, reading, and writing; the list goes on! 

The above activities may seem straightforward to plan and deliver, but they need to be well thought out and can incorporate the Montessori approach. This approach prioritises the individual and empowers them to learn at their own pace, ensuring that personalised activities stimulate all senses and meet individuals' needs, interests, skills, and abilities. Understanding the Montessori method's core principles is essential for those considering it as part of a dementia care plan. 

Quality of life as the ultimate goal  

The Montessori approach to dementia care involves creating a supportive environment that promotes independence and enhances the quality of life. It focuses on engaging individuals in meaningful activities that align with their abilities and interests, fostering a sense of purpose and identity. 

Our Oomph! Wellness and Activities Platform offers a variety of activities like these for those living with dementia; for example, we have tons of recipes for making unique fruit salads, vegan flapjacks, traditional apple pie, and more! Whether for seasoned bakers or those trying it out for the first time, making bread, cakes, biscuits, or pies is a great way to get involved in the kitchen and can provide a sense of joy and accomplishment. It can also help maintain skills as dementia progresses.

 
An endless list of engaging activities 

We also offer a diverse selection of craft activities, from step-by-step instructions for making tissue paper poppies and unique pieces of jewellery to colouring books and activity books that delve into diverse topics, incorporating enjoyable trivia, engaging quizzes, and stimulating puzzles, ensuring something for everyone. We also offer a variety of physical activities that can work in tandem to support and improve both physical and mental health. One of the activity types that is most effective for this is dancing. 

How dancing and physical activity boosts quality of life for those with dementia 

The benefits of physical activity for those with dementia is well documented, for example with the prevention of falls, but whereas before we have discussed exercise programmes that are focused on improving muscle strength, balance and mobility, another way that people with dementia can participate in physical activity is dancing. The benefits of dancing for people with dementia are similar to that of other activities for people with dementia: it helps residents reduce anxiety and agitation, it improves overall wellbeing and as a result it can improve quality of life.  

However, where dancing differs from other forms of physical activity is that it can also help residents to express themselves in new, non-verbal ways. It allows them to move as a means to communicate. It also might trigger fond memories of times gone by when dancing was at the centre of a strong and happy memory, such as a wedding or family celebration, or the music chosen might trigger memories of a certain time in their life. 

Take action against dementia, and for those living with dementia 

Dementia Action Week is all about encouraging as many people as possible to act on dementia. An early diagnosis is crucial to get people the help, care and treatment they desperately need, which can take the form of activities and community engagement that can improve their overall quality of life. 

Click here to find out more about dementia and how the Oomph! Wellness and Activities platform, and other products of the Connected Care Platform, can have a transformative impact on people living with dementia.