As almost half the country – 34.5 million of us – know someone living with dementia, the disease has never needed more focus.
Alongside charities, healthcare providers and psychological experts, Wippet is doing its bit to raise awareness of how to care for those with the condition.
What is dementia?
Dementia is a broad term for profound memory loss, language, problem-solving, and other thinking functions that interfere with daily life.
Dementia is not a single disease but an umbrella word that encompasses a wide range of distinct medical diseases, including the most common cause of the condition, Alzheimer's disease.
Psychological disorders known as "dementia" are caused by changes in the brain that cause a loss in thinking capabilities.
This loss of capability often becomes severe to interfere with daily life and independent function.
Dementia may also have an impact on behaviour, emotions, and relationships.
Why dementia action week?
One in every three people born in the UK today will develop dementia. And one million people will be living with dementia by 2025, making dementia care one of our society's most pressing challenges.
People affected by dementia rely on long term social care rather than the NHS because there are few available treatments.
Because people with dementia account for most social care users, the nursing care system must be made fit for purpose.
Dementia action week aims to help by:
- Spreading awareness of dementia, so people know the signs to look for in loved ones.
- Helping to guide those with a recent dementia diagnosis to take the strain off healthcare services.
- Running charity events to raise money for dementia charities that fund research into finding a cure for the disease.
- Guiding people to the right support networks, which is often the biggest barrier for those seeking dementia help.
- Supporting people with the tools and information to put a care plan in place.
What's the best way to decorate your home for those with dementia?
Understanding our surroundings is essential for our health and quality of life.
In people with cognitive impairments such as dementia, impaired memory and reasoning abilities can contribute to confusion, anxiety, and a lower quality of life.
Well-thought-out interior design can alleviate this anxiety by providing cues to help people make sense of their surroundings.
People with dementia, for example, may perceive patterned fabrics as twisted or furniture edges as blurred, so using materials and furniture with high contrasts can help put them at ease.
Other decorating ideas for dementia patients include:
- Using wardrobes and chests of drawers with easily accessible doorways and drawers.
- Painting the walls in warmer colours to make it more comfortable and more accessible for the person with dementia to see.
- Purchasing matt surfaces and slip-resistant flooring.
- Avoid patterned, speckled, or glittery floors because they can be distracting.
Because people with dementia are easily intimidated by their surroundings, visual cues and navigation aids such as:
- Clear signage to assist residents in navigating the care home
- Memory boxes for residents to fill with personal objects to help them remember and find their room.
- Higher-than-usual lighting levels, as well as increased use of natural daylight
- Fixtures that harken back to a bygone era, such as black and white images of the surrounding area and vintage-style radios and gramophones, help residents relax.
- Empathy dolls and pets to keep residents calm and occupied.
- False windows with a view of a beautiful countryside scene help calm the residents.
Where can I find out more about dementia?
At Wippet, we're here to offer care and support for all specialists across health conditions, including dementia.
Our dementia training manual and workshop scripts serve as an invaluable tool for carers looking for guidance on best care for those with dementia.
In addition, we've made it easy for you to train your entire care team by including a USB with a license to photocopy per location, making repeat training sessions cost-effective.
Alongside our training manual, you can also shop for high quality dementia products on our website. These include all of the items listed in the article above alongside a selection of medical and leisure time accessories.
Shop dementia care for care homes now.
Shop our wider range ofcare home products here.
