alzheimers

Are films a form of reminiscence for ageing parents?
Written by Rebecca Lenton Eleanor Bryson, from Memory Bank, shares how watching archive footage of the past has helped older people and those with dementia recall memories and communicate with their loved ones about the lives they once led. Memory Bank, an innovative series of films spanning six decades, was created as a resource to […]
Read moreTop tips on making life easier for someone with dementia
Written by Kathy Lawrence We can’t fix dementia. But in small ways we can make the world feel safer and less confusing. To help them We can suggest to their carers that they keep to familiar habits and routines – washing and dressing, meals, bedtime. On the other hand, if our parents want to do […]
Read moreIs there a “how to” on preventing and diagnosing dementia?
Written by Sandra Bullen What’s the state of dementia research today and what needs to happen next? How can we recognise the early stages of dementia and what can we do about it? These are some of the topics that When They Get Older co-founder Sandra Bullen discussed with leading dementia experts when we joined […]
Read moreSpeaking up for our community in Dementia Friends
Written by Sandra Bullen When They Get Older visited the UK Government Cabinet Office in July 2013 to take part in a roundtable on Dementia Friends, a new initiative run by the Alzheimer’s Society and funded by the Cabinet Office and the Department of Health. The campaign is part of the Prime Minister’s challenge on […]
Read moreRecognising signs of dementia
Written by Kathy Lawrence Dementia is much in the news now. But can we differentiate between failing memory that besets the elderly and the busy, and true dementia? Looking at the lists of early symptoms of dementia that are being publicised, it would be easy to have a three-step reaction. OMG that’s me. Panic! If […]
Read moreWhy eating well is important in dementia
Written by Kathy Lawrence We’re seeing new advice almost every day on how to prevent or delay dementia. It’s hard to know what to do for the best. A new review has taken a look at a wide range of current research to see if there is knowledge that we could use to help our […]
Read moreWe chose to sell medals for Branse’s benefit
Written by Rebecca Lenton Image provided by Dix Noonan Webb This week’s exclusive story is told by Sarah. Sarah Guthrie, the daughter of Wing Commander Branse Burbridge, talks about her family’s choice to sell her father’s WW2 medals in a bid to cover the cost of his on-going care. She explains that they were not […]
Read moreCould animal assisted therapy improve your parent’s health?
Written by Rebecca Lenton We explore the potential benefits of pet therapy as a way to relax and encourage our parents wherever they reside. As our parents get older, and perhaps begin to lose their friends and loved ones, they could start to feel lonely. With recent figures suggesting that loneliness is fast becoming an […]
Read moreTravelling with a parent who has dementia
There are over 100 different types of diagnosable dementia, from Alzheimer’s to vascular dementia. Each individual will face differing symptoms which means their care will have to be tailored to meet their individual needs. Despite the challenges, a holiday can be a rewarding experience for you and your parent as well as other family members. […]
Read moreTips for choosing a care home
Written by Rebecca Lenton Sarah Guthrie, the daughter of Wing Commander Branse Burbridge, talks through her family’s choice of care home for her mum and dad and offers advice on choosing the right place for your elderly parent. As my dad’s Alzheimer’s worsened he went into a care home in Oxford, where my parents lived, […]
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