FOR Christmas in 2005, Diana Fayle's mother Jan Riley drove herself to Warranwood to celebrate with her family.

"But by 2006, she didn't even know what the telephone was or how to use it,'' Ms Fayle said.

Mrs Riley, 69, had dementia - and the illness progressed quickly.

"Mum first started showing signs of memory loss in 2004, but by 2006 we knew there was something wrong,'' she said.

A piano teacher for more than 40 years, Mrs Riley's students began calling Ms Fayle about strange things that were happening during lessons.

The family first put in programs such as home help to keep Mrs Riley at home, but it was soon apparent she needed more care.

"She got to the point where she didn't know the difference between day and night,'' Ms Fayle said.

With a new baby herself, Ms Fayle said it was difficult finding the right home for her mother.

"We wanted to do what was right and best for her, and that meant making difficult decisions,'' she said.

"Finding the right nursing home was paramount.''

Read the original post:
Remembering dementia's toll in Warranwood

Sep 18 2012

Care services for people with dementia need a radical overhaul, Alzheimer Scotland has said.

Many of Scotland's estimated 84,000 sufferers do not receive the co-ordinated health and social support that is vital to help them live in the community, the charity said.

Carers, partners and families of sufferers are also lacking essential support as a result of the current "fragmented" care system.

Alzheimer Scotland wants to see a co-ordinator appointed to oversee the treatment and care of dementia patients. This may include access to psychological services and regular reviews of patients' wellbeing.

It is one of a number of recommendations outlined in its new report, Delivering Integrated Dementia Care: The Eight Pillars Model of Community Support. The charity hopes the document will act as a blueprint for local authorities and NHS boards.

Dementia includes a range of brain diseases of which Alzheimer's is the most common. It predominantly affects older people.

An ageing population means that, based on current estimates, the number of people with dementia will double within the next 25 years.

Henry Simmons, chief executive of Alzheimer Scotland, said: "We wish to work alongside the Scottish Government, NHS Boards, local authorities and other bodies to ensure they use the Eight Pillars as a portal to deliver equal access to the best possible treatments and support for every person with dementia.

"Only through doing this can we be sure that we are using resources to the best possible effect to enable people to live in their own homes, in their own communities and with their families for as long as they choose.

See more here:
Dementia care 'needs overhaul'

Sep 18 2012

Care services for people with dementia need a radical overhaul, Alzheimer Scotland has said.

Many of Scotland's estimated 84,000 sufferers do not receive the co-ordinated health and social support that is vital to help them live in the community, the charity said.

Carers, partners and families of sufferers are also lacking essential support as a result of the current "fragmented" care system.

Alzheimer Scotland wants to see a co-ordinator appointed to oversee the treatment and care of dementia patients. This may include access to psychological services and regular reviews of patients' wellbeing.

It is one of a number of recommendations outlined in its new report, Delivering Integrated Dementia Care: The Eight Pillars Model of Community Support. The charity hopes the document will act as a blueprint for local authorities and NHS boards.

Dementia includes a range of brain diseases of which Alzheimer's is the most common. It predominantly affects older people.

An ageing population means that, based on current estimates, the number of people with dementia will double within the next 25 years.

Henry Simmons, chief executive of Alzheimer Scotland, said: "We wish to work alongside the Scottish Government, NHS Boards, local authorities and other bodies to ensure they use the Eight Pillars as a portal to deliver equal access to the best possible treatments and support for every person with dementia.

"Only through doing this can we be sure that we are using resources to the best possible effect to enable people to live in their own homes, in their own communities and with their families for as long as they choose.

See more here:
Dementia care 'needs overhaul'

Prevention is the most powerful medicine in the fight against dementia and Alzheimer's disease, a leading international researcher says.

'Prevention is very important, more than any drugs we have or plan to develop,' said Serge Gauthier, director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit at McGill University in Canada.

Dr Gauthier, who is in Australia for a series of seminars to coincide with Dementia Awareness Week, said the majority of dementia cases in those aged over 85 were preventable.

Small strokes were key contributors to dementia in this group, he said.

Making lifestyle changes such as losing weight, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption could reduce the risk of strokes, Dr Gauthier said.

'This is where we can have an impact right now,' he told AAP.

'If you can prevent small strokes, you probably delay dementia by 10 years.'

However, another component of dementia and Alzheimer's is the build-up of naturally occurring ameloid proteins in the brain.

Dr Gauthier said the role of ameloids is still unknown but it is thought the proteins may help protect against infection.

But in larger quantities the proteins can become problematic.

Read more:
Dementia expert says prevention is best

She said: These responses provide an intriguing insight into the reality of the UKs poor levels of diagnosis for Alzheimers Disease.

"The findings suggest an unwillingness to engage on both sides of the consulting room table, leading to a conspiracy of silence around this devastating disease.

"While companies like Lilly search for new medicines to help treat Alzheimers, we must all work together to reduce the stigma that is holding early and accurate diagnosis back.

Almost three-quarters of the doctors surveyed cited the lack of a definitive dementia test as a reason for their reluctance to raise the matter with patients. Telling early dementia from normal ageing can be difficult.

In the past GPs have sometimes refrainedgiving patients the bad news - even those with clear signs - because little could be done for them.

However, now drugs are available on the NHS that can slow the advance of Alzheimers, the most common form of dementia. The earlier they are given, the better.

Dementia is thought to affect around 800,000 people in Britain, but only four in 10 have received a formal diagnosis, according to The Alzheimers Society.

The survey results were released ahead of World Alzheimers Day, which is tomorrow (Friday).

Read this article:
'Conspiracy of silence' over dementia in the doctor's surgery

She said: These responses provide an intriguing insight into the reality of the UKs poor levels of diagnosis for Alzheimers Disease.

"The findings suggest an unwillingness to engage on both sides of the consulting room table, leading to a conspiracy of silence around this devastating disease.

"While companies like Lilly search for new medicines to help treat Alzheimers, we must all work together to reduce the stigma that is holding early and accurate diagnosis back.

Almost three-quarters of the doctors surveyed cited the lack of a definitive dementia test as a reason for their reluctance to raise the matter with patients. Telling early dementia from normal ageing can be difficult.

In the past GPs have sometimes refrainedgiving patients the bad news - even those with clear signs - because little could be done for them.

However, now drugs are available on the NHS that can slow the advance of Alzheimers, the most common form of dementia. The earlier they are given, the better.

Dementia is thought to affect around 800,000 people in Britain, but only four in 10 have received a formal diagnosis, according to The Alzheimers Society.

The survey results were released ahead of World Alzheimers Day, which is tomorrow (Friday).

Read this article:
'Conspiracy of silence' over dementia in the doctor's surgery

MILWAUKEE, WI--(Marketwire - Sep 18, 2012) - Dementia Care Specialists (DCS) has recognized Provision Living at Godfrey, in Godfrey, IL as the third facility nationally to achieve the status of Distinguished Provider -- the highest credential in dementia care.

DCS is a specialized offering of CPI, the worldwide leader in crisis prevention and intervention training. Launched in 2011, the Distinguished Provider program signifies a commitment to the DCS training philosophy and abilities-based approach, which helps improve function, safety, and quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer's/dementia.

"When people look for a long-term care facility, they want to select a place that they trust will offer the best and most attentive care for themselves or their loved ones. That trust is exactly what the Distinguished Provider status communicates. It is a seal of approval from industry leaders," said Kim Warchol, OTR/L, Dementia Care Specialists president and founder.

A Distinguished Provider demonstrates a commitment to high-quality, person-centered dementia care. This includes compliance with training standards and the implementation of CPI's Dementia Capable Care training and principles. For individuals at all stages of Alzheimer's/dementia, these principles promote the highest possible level of function, maximize health and safety, and help maintain dignity and quality of life.

With more than 5.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer's/dementia, and many more projected over the coming years, the level of care provided by Provision Living at Godfrey can serve as an example and help elevate the standard of dementia care in the US.

In addition to recognizing facilities, DCS also recognizes therapists and care partners who demonstrate the passion, heart, and skill to deliver Dementia Capable Care. DCS welcomes both facilities and individual practitioners to apply for the Distinguished Provider program. The application and additional information are available at crisisprevention.com/dcs.

CPI is an international training organization committed to best practices and safe behavior management methods that focus on prevention. Through a variety of specialized offerings and innovative resources, CPI educates and empowers professionals to create safe and respectful work environments and enrich the lives of the individuals they serve.

For more information about CPI and DCS, visit crisisprevention.com.

For more information about Provision Living at Godfrey, visit http://www.provisionliving.com/godfrey-illinois-independent-assisted-living-Provision-Living/

See the article here:
Godfrey Dementia Care Facility Recognized as Distinguished Provider

19 September 2012 Last updated at 13:13 ET By Adam Brimelow Health Correspondent, BBC News

A leading health research charity says drugs companies may "retreat" from dementia research without more support.

Alzheimer's Research UK says more government hep is needed to ensure the industry does not "retreat" from the challenge of finding new drugs.

The warning follows disappointing results in recent clinical trials.

The pharmaceutical industry body, the ABPI, says there are over 200 medicines under development for Alzheimer's.

It is estimated that more than 800,00 people in the UK have dementia. The majority have Alzheimer's Disease.

The numbers affected are growing fast, and the search for new treatments ever-more urgent.

But this summer two big trials have reported disappointing results. The drugs - bapineuzumab and solanezumab - failed to show benefits that researchers had hoped to see.

Alzheimer's Research UK fears companies may decide that putting resources into dementia is too risky. The charity's science director, Dr Eric Karran, said the trial setbacks were "very disappointing". He warned that companies may be deterred from investing in dementia.

"If you're running a business and you have options to find important new medicines in cancer, in diabetes or in neuroscience inevitably I think you have to place your bets where ultimately you will get a better chance of a return on your investment."

Originally posted here:
Dementia research 'is in danger'

19 September 2012 Last updated at 13:13 ET By Adam Brimelow Health Correspondent, BBC News

A leading health research charity says drugs companies may "retreat" from dementia research without more support.

Alzheimer's Research UK says more government hep is needed to ensure the industry does not "retreat" from the challenge of finding new drugs.

The warning follows disappointing results in recent clinical trials.

The pharmaceutical industry body, the ABPI, says there are over 200 medicines under development for Alzheimer's.

It is estimated that more than 800,00 people in the UK have dementia. The majority have Alzheimer's Disease.

The numbers affected are growing fast, and the search for new treatments ever-more urgent.

But this summer two big trials have reported disappointing results. The drugs - bapineuzumab and solanezumab - failed to show benefits that researchers had hoped to see.

Alzheimer's Research UK fears companies may decide that putting resources into dementia is too risky. The charity's science director, Dr Eric Karran, said the trial setbacks were "very disappointing". He warned that companies may be deterred from investing in dementia.

"If you're running a business and you have options to find important new medicines in cancer, in diabetes or in neuroscience inevitably I think you have to place your bets where ultimately you will get a better chance of a return on your investment."

Originally posted here:
Dementia research 'is in danger'

MILWAUKEE, WI--(Marketwire - Sep 19, 2012) - Dementia Care Specialists (DCS) has recognized GreenTree at Post Road, in Indianapolis, IN as the first facility in Indiana to achieve the status of Distinguished Provider -- the highest credential in dementia care.

DCS is a specialized offering of CPI, the worldwide leader in crisis prevention and intervention training. Launched in 2011, the Distinguished Provider program signifies a commitment to the DCS training philosophy and abilities-based approach, which helps improve function, safety, and quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer's/dementia.

"When people look for a long-term care facility, they want to select a place that they trust will offer the best and most attentive care for themselves or their loved ones. That trust is exactly what the Distinguished Provider status communicates. It is a seal of approval from industry leaders," said Kim Warchol, OTR/L, Dementia Care Specialists president and founder.

A Distinguished Provider demonstrates a commitment to high-quality, person-centered dementia care. This includes compliance with training standards and the implementation of CPI's Dementia Capable Care training and principles. For individuals at all stages of Alzheimer's/dementia, these principles promote the highest possible level of function, maximize health and safety, and help maintain dignity and quality of life.

With more than 5.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer's/dementia, and many more projected over the coming years, the level of care provided by GreenTree at Post Road can serve as an example and help elevate the standard of dementia care in the US.

In addition to recognizing facilities, DCS also recognizes therapists and care partners who demonstrate the passion, heart, and skill to deliver Dementia Capable Care. DCS welcomes both facilities and individual practitioners to apply for the Distinguished Provider program. The application and additional information are available at crisisprevention.com/dcs.

CPI is an international training organization committed to best practices and safe behavior management methods that focus on prevention. Through a variety of specialized offerings and innovative resources, CPI educates and empowers professionals to create safe and respectful work environments and enrich the lives of the individuals they serve.

For more information about CPI and DCS, visit crisisprevention.com.

For more information about Provision Living at Godfrey, visit http://www.provisionliving.com/indianapolis-assisted-living--memory-care-GreenTree-Assisted-Living/

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Indianapolis Dementia Care Facility Recognized as Distinguished Provider