We are supporting World Alzheimer’s Day 2021

World Alzheimer’s Day on Tuesday 21^st September is part of World Alzheimer Month and this year’s theme is, ‘Know dementia, know Alzheimer’s’, which Oakland Care endeavours to do.

The aim of the day is to raise awareness of dementia, understand its impact on people’s daily lives, challenge the stigma of dementia and the strategies to help people live comfortably with dementia.

The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease. One of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease is memory loss, as the memory region of the brain is often the first to become damaged. Other symptoms include confusion, speech problems, impaired understanding of reasoning and judgement, decreased visual perception, reduced ability to focus and be attentive. Age, family history and genetics are all risk factors for dementia that we can’t change.

At Oakland Care, we strive to provide the best care for our residents living with dementia, and we support any initiative that helps them to lead fulfilling and happy lives.

Our Memory Care household provides support delivered by trained, compassionate staff in a safe and comfortable environment.  We focus on the individuals and their families and carers, to immerse ourselves at the moment that person is living in, thus creating a safe space.

In support of #WorldAlzheimersDay, our care homes are taking part in #MemoryWalks to raise awareness of Dementia. Hastings Court Care Home arranged their #MemoryWalk with team members, residents, relatives and pets and walked from the Pier to the Old Town in Hastings while raising money for The Alzheimer’s Society ‘United Against Dementia’. They are raising funds for this worthwhile cause and so if you can, please donate at their Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hastingscourt-memorywalk

Our own Chelsea Veneer, Head of Memory Care at Beechwood Grove is going out of her comfort zone walking 30+ miles to raise funds for Dementia UK, which provides specialist Admiral Nurses who support the families of those living with Dementia – something that she is very passionate about.

Some locations where Chelsea has done her walk for Dementia UK

Chelsea has worked in a different variety of settings with residents living with different needs. However, Chelsea commented, “None are more rewarding than supporting individuals living with Dementia. The role can be extremely challenging, both physically and mentally but I wouldn’t change this for anything”.

Chelsea, began supporting individuals living with Dementia at the young age of 18 and recalls being very scared and nervous that she would do or say something wrong, however, she realises that she need not have worried – she continues to thrive in this role for many years since.

“Dementia care is about seeing the person in front of you and not the disease, and this is something I am very passionate about”. We are here for not only the physical care needs but the emotional needs also. Understanding a person’s life history and abilities help us to deliver exceptional person-centred care by using the skills from past experiences to maintain their independence.

“The communication skills I learnt helped me talk with others and recognise the need to adapt my approach to a person living with Dementia, and I continue to use those skills to this very day.

– Chelsea Veneer

Chelsea knows that there will be a day when someone in her family will develop Dementia and that is why she is doing different fundraising events to raise awareness and money for research in the hope for a Dementia free future.

You can support Chelsea by donating at  https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MWOYO21-ChelseaVenner or https://www.facebook.com/donate/364591465233516/364591488566847/

The Alzheimer’s Society is breaking the silence and stigma surrounding Dementia. To find out more about World Alzheimer’s Day and Dementia visit: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/world-alzheimers-month or call 0333 150 3456.

To find out more about our Oakland Care Dementia care homes, contact us on 0300 303 5445 to speak to a friendly member of our team today or view our dementia care plans.