Living with dementia magazine 2009 archive

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Living with dementia is Alzheimer's Society's popular monthly members magazine.

It features news, human interest stories, expert tips and advice for carers and people with dementia, book reviews, updates on dementia research and articles highlighting good practice in dementia care, plus readers' letters.

If you wish to start receiving the magazine, please visit our membership page

December/January 2009/2010

Please read on for highlights of this month's issue or download the PDF version of the magazine

Giving something back
After receiving valuable support from Alzheimer's Society following the unexpected death of her husband, one former carer is now determined to give something back. She uses her experience to help other carers, and supports the Society in many other ways.
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Improving hospital care
A hospital in South Cheshire is pulling out all stops to improve care for people with dementia.
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The year in research
Our Head of Research, Dr Susanne Sorensen, picks out some of the highlights from developments in dementia research in 2009
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Support over Christmas
Talking Point, the Society's online forum for people with dementia and their carers, is a great place to turn if you need support over the holiday period.
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November 2009

Doing it for themselves
A project in Dover helps younger people with dementia hold onto their skills, and learn new ones, by focusing on what is still possible.
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Weighing it all up
What do you do if the person you care for keeps going missing when they leave the house? Lock them in, or respect their right to freedom? This is just one example of the many ethical dilemmas carers face, as a major new report highlights.
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Our stories
A nationwide shortage of donated brains for dementia research has led to a new campaign to encourage more people to become brain donors. Researchers are desperate for brain tissue for their search for treatments or a cure for dementia. Three of our volunteers talk about the importance of brain donation, and their own experiences
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October 2009

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Hear hear for peers!
The best support for people with dementia comes from meeting others in the same boat, say people with dementia in Woking, who get together each Wednesday.
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Thumbs up for Yasmina!
Winner of this year's The Apprentice, Yasmina Siadatan, put her all into the Great North Run in September to raise awareness of Alzheimer's Society. Read how she got on in the race (very well!) and about her experiences of dementia in her own family.
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Extra care housing
A couple who have recently moved into extra care housing - an alternative to residential care - are settling in nicely. Caroline Graty looks at the pros and cons of this type of accommodation for people with dementia.
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Telling tales about dementia
Collecting carers' stories helped one former carer, Lucy Whitman, come to terms with her own experiences.
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September 2009

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Out of pocket
Cedric Nimmo has been caring for his wife, Evelyn, for 12 years at their Hertfordshire home. He also pays for carers to assist in Evelyn's care, but is worried what will happen when his money runs out. Read Cedric's and other carers stories about paying for care.
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Friends for the journey
We speak to Ros Witherspoon, a Dementia Adviser in Sheffield, about her work to support people with dementia in the city.
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And the winners are...
Liverpudlian poet Roger McGough picks the winning poems from our poetry competition, and rightly impressed he was too!
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If you wish to start receiving the magazine, please visit our membership page

August 2009

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The value of carer involvement
Professionals must include carers in care teams in all care settings, from hospital wards to care homes, says active campaigner and former carer Cliff Greenhalgh.
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Eating and dementia
Many people caring for people with dementia in the later stages worry about weight loss as the eating habits of the person they care for change. Registered Dietitican Gwen Coleman puts minds at rest with advice on how to make mealtimes easier.
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ICAD 2009
Read the latest developments in dementia research from our Head of Research, who reports on an exhausting week at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease - ICAD - which took place in Vienna in July.
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July 2009

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A fount of knowledge
A former professor who now has Alzheimer's disease is putting his knowledge to good use in a newfound friendship, thanks to the charity Crossroads.
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Pulling together
Trish Davies was diagnosed with vascular dementia aged just 38. Now 45, Trish, her husband Kelvin and their two daughters share their story on how they cope.
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Footing the bill for care
Lisa Morgan is associate solicitor at Hugh James in Cardiff. She explains why knowing about NHS continuing healthcare could save you thousands in care fees.
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June 2009

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This is your life
Capturing the rich life stories of people with dementia is making a big difference to people's lives in Yorkshire.
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Part of the family
Carer Jan John's outlook on life has changed completely since her husband Rod was diagnosed with dementia. In this story, Jan explains what makes them both happy now.
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United in support
From schoolboys to a champion jockey, our wonderful supporters are full of ideas on how to raise money for the Society.
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May 2009

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Care homes of the future
High-rise, city centre care homes are the future, according to the winners of a prestigious design award the Society was involved in judging.
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Diary of a carer
Read extracts from Cathy Sargent's diary, which she wanted to share with others to expose the reality of living with dementia.
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Clinical trials - where to look
Finding out about clinical trials on new treatments for dementia and how to take part will now be easier thanks to a new initiative.
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April 2009

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Is dementia hereditary?
Many people with dementia are concerned they may pass it onto their children, and family members often worry they may develop dementia themselves. Professor Nick Fox answers your questions.
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Claim your benefits
Billions of benefits go unclaimed each year. Find out which benefits you may be entitled to, and start claiming!
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March 2009

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Dementia in the West End
A play about younger people with dementia is opening in London's West End in April, thanks to one daughter's experience of her father's dementia.
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Art, dignity and dementia
Helping people with dementia to get the most out of art can enhance lives in more ways than one, says Helen Bate.
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Society-funded research gets underway
Find out what researchers will be investigating next year now that nine new research projects have received funding from the Society.
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February 2009

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Also available to download is our supplement on the National Dementia Strategy for England

A model service
A pioneering memory service in Croydon is diagnosing more people with dementia earlier on.
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See you there!
A local pub has become the new venue for carers who have become widowed and no longer qualify for Alzheimer's Society support.
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A year in drugs trials
We take a look at how trials to develop new drugs for Alzheimer's disease fared in 2008.
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Calling all library users
Help expand the number of dementia related books in public libraries by asking your local one to make more available.
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