Let's talk about the dementia challenge

Someone in the world develops dementia every three seconds. It is an ever-present problem today, and one which reverberates throughout our world. It does not distinguish between rich or poor, and it can happen to any one of us. However, there is hope out there…

September 21st is World Alzheimer's Day. It is a timely reminder of the 50 million people who currently suffer from the disease, and to learn what we can do to help. Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia are responsible for up to 90% of cases of dementia, a progressive degenerative brain syndrome which affects memory, behaviour and emotion.

People living with dementia may experience grief, anger, fear or anxiety, and those who support them face many challenges. One of the charities which can be depended on to visit those with dementia is the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), whose members are experienced in visiting dementia sufferers and who have often received specialised training in this area.

In addition to the visits carried out by SVP volunteers to care homes and private homes to chat and pray with older people, the SVP also runs support centres which offer additional services. One of these is Tower House, a warm and welcoming centre dedicated to supporting isolated and older people in Brighton. The centre provides a lunch service, physically and mentally stimulating activities, specialist counselling and the Memory Café. The café is an integral part of Tower House and supports people with a diagnosis of dementia and those who care for them - this includes a Brain Gym session to improve memory function.

At Memory Café, the focus is on conversation. Volunteers will sit down with guests and encourage them to have a conversation, picking up on sentences to jog memories which may then resurface. It is a safe and comfortable environment for people with cognitive decline, and their carers, to reminisce and feel connected to each other.

The Covid-19 outbreak has highlighted the lack of preparedness of health systems globally to provide routine services and support people living with chronic conditions such as dementia. Older people, especially those living with dementia, face a heightened risk of social isolation during lockdown or similar restrictions.

Lindsay MacRae, who coordinates Tower House services, says: "With Covid-19, the possibility of hosting our usual Tuesday lunches at Tower House is no longer possible. However, we know that there are many older, isolated people stuck at home, not being able to see anyone, who would be missing a hot, freshly cooked meal and company. We don't want them to miss out, so we are putting together food parcels and have a great team of volunteers delivering them to people's homes."

Volunteers with health issues, or who are self-isolating have also been keeping in regular contact with guests to check up on them over the telephone. Lindsay says: "Mainly our volunteers call guests to have a natter and catch up. Providing conversation is just as nourishing as providing food."

In July, once restrictions were eased, Tower House organised afternoon tea for their most isolated guests. Sitting at tables outside in the glorious sunshine, everyone accepted the taking of temperatures and filling in of medical forms in good humour. Every single person said how amazing it felt to be with other people again. In particular, two sisters who had not seen each other for five months had an emotional reunion. Several guests said that taking tea outside Tower House was the happiest day of their year; a reason to celebrate, to wear something special and to feel part of the world again.

During the tea in July, Tucker, a 92 year-old widower, and a regular, said: "It is my first taste of heaven. Everyone is so welcoming and kind."

Lindsay comments: "It was particularly wonderful to reconnect with guests who have dementia, who have perhaps suffered the most during the lockdown by not having regular contact with others."

It can be extremely challenging to care for loved ones who suffer from dementia. Centres like Tower House offer friendship and support, a service that is needed more than ever during the pandemic.

For more information about Tower House, befriending or the SVP, please visit: www.svp.org.uk