HOW TO UNDERSTAND DEMENTIA - A PERSONAL VIEW FROM AN ORDINARY CITIZEN
In 2016, I was invited by Professor Barbara Humberstone and Maria Konstantaki of Bucks New University to be a guest speaker at their 3rd Annual Conference - my topic being -
" Creating a Healthy Lifestyle for the 50 Plus Generations. "
The transcript of my Presentation can be viewed on my website - EUREKYS. It was an excellent Conference and I have the greatest admiration for these two talented, intelligent, academics for their work for Preventative Healthcare which is my main Principle for a Healthy Way of Prolonging one's lifespan.
This year, I have just attended the 4th Annual Conference at Bucks New University. This time the main theme of the Conference was -
"Ageing Well - DEMENTIA and Physical Activity."
What a brilliant Conference it was !
One of the Presenters Jay Patel quoted some disturbing projections -
" Dementia affects almost 50 Million people worldwide, with new cases of Dementia occurring somewhere in the World every 3 seconds." Source: Alzeimers disease International 2017.
Barbara and Maria had once again assembled a well balanced range of speakers such as -
Professor Carol Riddick of Gallaudet University, USA
David Truswell, Head of DACE
Ruth Trout and Fiona Chalk, Department of Applied Health, Bucks New University
Dr Jonathan Lewis, Department of Performing Arts, BNU
Jay Patel, Hill Care Homes.
In the afternoon session, Delegates were able to try out various fitness exercises.
It is not my intention to summarise all these first class presentations. I suggest you contact Bucks New University for any transcripts.
What I want to achieve is to create a deeper awareness of modern day DEMENTIA and to promote to a wider audience what it is all about.
Let me confess - DEMENTIA is not my favourite subject but I am grateful to Bucks New University and the Speakers for making me understand, appreciate the challenges of DEMENTIA in its many forms which will become such a nightmare for Families, the NHS and Government funding in the decades to come. A major epidemic - unless WE do something about it. Can we within reason ? Yes we can ! More of this later.
Have I learnt anything new ? Yes.
Professor Riddick provided me with a myriad of information but I never knew that there was a connection between medication and DEMENTIA. Some tablets for Depression were linked to DEMENTIA. I never knew there was a form of Dementia called - Vascular Dementia - that any restriction from any source of blood flow to the brain could cause a type of Dementia.
How this happens is beyond my comprehension because I am not a Medical Doctor or Researcher.
The analysis of "DEMENTIA and the impact on diverse communities " by David Truswell was fascinating. Lots of recent and in depth information. Facts not fiction.
Real life examples of DEMENTIA by RuthTrout and Fiona Chalk gave me a clear insight of the challenges families and Carers face when trying to deal with DEMENTIA Patients.
Dr Jonathan Lewis and his Dance Students were inspirational in the use of Dance in making life bearable for DEMENTIA patients.
He deserves to get more funding for this positive work with Dance. The Performing Arts does have a role to play in stimulating Dementia Patients and encouraging Social Interaction.
I admire his young dance students who want to play a positive role in offering Dance support to improve elderly Healthcare. Well done Young People.
Jay Patel of Hill Care Homes helps to train Carers in their approach to DEMENTIA. I have great empathy with him.
One of my earliest articles was - Care for the Elderly, Compassion or Fear ? I suggested that we need better trained Carers in Britain. Most Carers are wonderful people but we do need to improve their techniques for interacting with Patients.
We also need some increased form of tax relief for Carers who are qualified - I suggested a One Year part time " Certificate of Care " taken over a One or Two year part time period. There should be a monetary award for their Graduation.
Many of the current techniques for improving the lifestyles of sufferers of Dementia are good. I believe that Sensory Techniques such as - A loving kiss, An Embrace, Music and Memory Stimuli can play a large part in making sufferers happier within the understandable turmoil that they are experiencing. I wonder if one day, Science and Medical Technology might be able to increase the number and capacity of Brain Cells functions, reduce the Ageing Process and conquer Dementia ?
I sincerely hope so. Perhaps being futuristic, I wonder if we could have Mini Nano Brain Computer Implants which could enhance Short term Memory functions. If we can have Heart Implants why not Brain Cell Implants ? Food for thought ? For our research scientists a question - Why do most of us have Long Range Memory Functioning but lose Short Term Memory Functions ? Is there any relationships between the two ? I do not know. I am only an ordinary citizen, But, we should remember that Innovation and Scientific developments in the last 100 years have come about because some people asked the Right Question !
Do I have a recipe for Preventative Healthcare ? Yes, I do.
Can it help early and late development of DEMENTIA ? Yes, I can in my view.
However, will anyone in authority listen ? Or, will the answer be...
We have no money ! The Government printed -" Quantitative Easing " £400 Billions to save the Banks during the period after 2008. Why can't the Government print another £200 Billions for Healthcare in Britain ? We need more Long Term Investments in Britain.
My "Preventative Healthcare Plan " is as follows -
Train my mind by -
Writing Articles on Political, Social and Cultural Affairs." This article is Number 134.
Take an interest in Public Affairs.
Compose music - so far, I have composed 1 Concerto, 13 Pop songs, 1 Musical.
Google YOUTUBE - Emotionally Your Truly by Ray Williams.
Remain active in the Community - I have been a Volunteer for 10 years for Wycombe Swan Theatre, Past Chairman Wycombe 50 Plus Club.
Train my body to keep fit -
Summary - Tennis 3 times s a week, Table Tennis 2 times per week,
Gardening allotment 2 times per week
Note -Research has shown that Tennis and Table Tennis are great activities to maintain physical health and improve Cognitive Ability.
Eat Well to be Well
I do not overeat or drink wine. Good well balanced meals.
I am not Perfect
I have a number of ailments. But, they will not overcome me.
My MENTAL ATTITUDE is too strong.
Remain Positive, Be confidant and remember....Money is not everything.
Elderly life can be fulfilling. We all need to promote and practise WELLBEING.
Do not blame other people.
Doctors need to be more aware of the different characteristics and early warning symptoms of DEMENTIA.
Some regrets about this Conference. ? Yes.
It was not attended by Representatives of the Department of Health, no Senior Executives of the National Heath Service, no Local Government Executives or Counsellors, no Top Management of Quangos with Healthcare interests, No Pharmaceutical Company Officials and so on. This is simply APATHY !
Maybe, if we all promote the key issues of Preventative Healthcare and Activity Programmes, we might attract more participation in Conference Number 5 at Bucks New University. I look forward to it.
Latest Research Results
The University of Singapore research study about Ageing reported in June 2017 -
" We found that.... Better Nutrition, Regular Physical Exercise and Mental Exercises can reverse frailty. "
The study showed that " Nearly 50% of those who stuck to all 3 activities slashed their physical and mental " Frailty " substantially compared to 15% who only practised one of these functions.."
Do I have to say anything more ?
Thank you Bucks New University for leading the way in our understanding and defeat of DEMENTIA and other illnesses.
You are a 'Leading Light ' in our constant human battle with illness.
Good luck. We can help prevent or modify DEMENTIA.
Male your voices heard wherever you are.
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