Steve Besent Expand During his 40-year career Steve was an IT director, programme director and consultant working in Government and large financial services organisations across the globe. Steve’s prime focus was on business and IT change management. He served on a number of executive/operating boards, including non-executive roles. Now retired, Steve has been a volunteer with Citizens Advice in Wiltshire and the Samaritans.
Trowbridge Expand Trowbridge Dementia Friendly Community was launched on November 2016 when representatives of more than 20 organisations, businesses and statutory groups came together to pledge the practical steps they would each take. Guest speakers Jamie Anderson and carer Tony Whitney shared their experiences and talked of how a little understanding went a long way to making life easier for people with dementia and their families. To find out more about the progress so far and how you or your organisation can get involved see Trowbridge Dementia Action Alliance
Trustees Expand Janet Dore Terry Coles Nicola Hibbert Carolyn King Alison Middleton Harry Theobald Rosie Westacott Mike Weston
Volunteer drivers Expand Community group drivers Sometimes the biggest barrier to people using our services is not being able to get there easily. Our volunteer drivers can be a lifeline for those for whom taking part in an activity like Music for the Mind or an art group, can be a highlight of the week. Mileage will be paid and training provided. Food delivery drivers Our volunteer driver, Tony, does a fantastic job delivering food from the Chippenham depot to our day clubs in Devizes, Trowbridge and Warminster and we’re looking for one or two people to do the same on a regular basis. You’d need to have a reasonable-sized vehicle, such as a five-door car with good boot space, be available on Tuesdays 10am – 10.30am and be able to lift bulky food boxes. A clean driving licence is essential. Mileage is reimbursed at 45p per mile.
Warminster Memory Cafe Volunteers Expand Volunteers at the monthly Memory Café in Warminster are part of a small team setting up the room before everyone arrives, serving refreshments and supporting group members and carers and then clearing up again when everyone leaves. A member of Alzheimer's Support staff is present at all groups, as well as the professional facilitator who leads the sessions.
Wendy O'Grady Expand Wendy O’Grady, a former teacher, has lived in Bradford on Avon for 35 years. She has volunteered in the local community, as Chair of the U3A, trustee for Abbeyfield House and former Chair of the town’s Seniors’ Forum. Wendy became aware of the work of Alzheimer’s Support several years ago when taking a friend to Music for the Mind, and through her active involvement in the Bradford on Avon Dementia Action Alliance. She is very aware of the importance of spreading information about the support available for people living with dementia.
What is Alzheimer's disease? Expand Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It was first observed by Dr Alois Alzheimer in 1901. It is a progressive illness caused by chemical changes in the brain that allow abnormal proteins to build, forming clumps known as plaques or tangles. The plaques are usually first seen in the area of the brain that makes new memories, and memory loss, or difficulty remembering words, is often one of the earliest symptoms. Everyone is different and each person experience Alzheimer's in a way that is personal to them. Typical symptoms of early Alzheimer’s include: Regularly forgetting recent events, names and faces Regularly misplacing items or putting them in odd places Confusion about the time of day Disorientation, especially away from normal surroundings Getting lost Problems finding the right words Mood or behaviour problems such as apathy, irritability, or losing confidence As the disease progresses communication, perception, orientation and mobility can be affected as the brain's ability to control the body declines. Treatment for Alzheimer's There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease. However, drugs are available that can slow down symptoms in some people. Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl work by maintaining levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Side-effects are usually minor but may include diarrhoea, nausea, insomnia, fatigue and loss of appetite. A fourth drug, Ebixa (trade name for the drug memantine) works in a different way from the other three and is the only drug that is recommended for people in both the moderate and severe stages of Alzheimer's disease. Side-effects may include dizziness, headaches and tiredness, and - rarely - hallucinations or confusion. However, knowing more about the disease and understanding why the changes are happening, can help the person and those around them to cope better. Coping strategies include slowing down the pace of life, following routines, using clear communication and focusing on what the person affected can still do and enjoy doing, rather than on their limitations. How family and friends can help Support for people living with Alzheimer's in Wiltshire
What is fronto-temporal dementia? Expand Fronto-temporal dementia A less common cause of dementia, and one that often affects people in younger age groups. It includes a range of conditions in which there is damage is to the front and sides of the brain and affects personality, emotions, decision-making, speech and language. It used to be known as Pick’s disease Symptoms can include: Personality changes, such as loss of inhibition, apathy or inappropriate behaviour of which the person is often unaware Loss of emotional warmth and empathy for others Decline in language abilities – including difficulty getting words out or problems with understanding words and names Overeating or changes in dietary preference, particularly cravings for sweet food Changes in sexual behaviour Memory problems. Although day to day memory remains intact in the early stages, communication difficulties mean the problems seem more severe Treatment Alzheimer’s drugs such as Aricept are not normally prescribed and can may occasionally make symptoms worse. Speech therapists may be helpful for language problems. Knowing more about the disease and understanding that it it this which is the cause of behaviour changes, can help the person and those around them to cope with the disease. Coping strategies include avoiding confrontation and working round obsessions rather than trying to change the person's behaviour. Support for people living with fronto-temporal dementia in Wiltshire
What is Lewy Body dementia? Expand Lewy Body dementia Dementia with Lewy bodies is a rare form of dementia caused by small clumps of protein that build up inside nerve cells in the brain, damaging the way they work and communicate with each other. These are named Lewy bodies after Dr Frederich Lewy, who first identified them. Lewy bodies are also present in some forms of Parkinson's disease. Symptoms include: Hallucinations which often involve people or animals Parkinson’s-type symptoms including slow movement and stiffness in the limbs Movements during sleep and vivid dreams Symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s, including memory loss and disorientation Fainting and falls Marked variation in alertness and confusion, which can fluctuate from hour to hour or day to day Treatment Like other types of dementia there is no cure for LBD. Some of the Alzheimer drugs may be suitable for people with Lewy body dementia, but particular care has to be taken by doctors as some are unsuitable. Coping strategies include understanding as much as possible about the disease and the changes it can bring, particularly that visual disturbances may be very real to the person affected, even though others cannot see them. Rehabilitative support, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy can also be helpful. How family and friends can help Support for people living with Lewy body dementia in Wiltshire
What is vascular dementia? Expand Vascular dementia Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia. It is caused by a reduction in blood supply to the brain. It may occur as a result of a stroke or a series of small or mini strokes (TIAs) which can affect any part of the brain. Alternatively it can be caused by a gradual hardening of the blood vessels deep in the brain, typically affecting parts that are important for attention, memory and language. Symptoms of vascular dementia can appear gradually or suddenly depending on the cause. They include: Becoming slower in thinking Disorientation, especially away from normal surroundings Difficulty finding words Memory problems and regularly misplacing items Becoming more emotional Difficulty walking or a change in the way a person walks Treatment for vascular dementia The Alzheimer's drug treatments are not normally prescribed for people with vascular dementia, but may be useful in a 'mixed dementia' where there is both Alzheimer's and vascular dementia present. Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease by: Taking medication to treat any underlying conditions, such as stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or heart problems Adopting a healthier lifestyle by stopping smoking, taking regular exercise, eating healthily, and drinking alcohol only in moderation Rehabilitative support, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy can also be helpful. How family and friends can help Support for people living with vascular dementia in Wiltshire