Week 28 - Alzheimer's Society

This weekend the footballing world lost a legend of the game to Alzheimer's.  Few people have changed any sport as much as he did football - like generations of football fans I grew up with his punditry and he provided much of my early education into the game.  This week's donation is to Alzheimer's Society and is also inspired by my Nana who has suffered from the disease for many years now.

There are many different types of dementia, caused by damage to the brain.  This can be due to many different reasons but is most commonly caused by Alzheimer's disease.  The symptoms most associated with Alzheimer's and dementia are memory loss and lapses but most sufferers also struggle with communication, reasoning, orientation and perception (such as visuospatial awareness).  As the disease progresses more distressing symptoms present themselves such as behavioural changes, aggression and hallucinations.  In the final stages a sufferer will become increasingly frail and will need help with simple daily tasks.

One in six people over 80 have dementia.  There is no cure but there are treatments which can slow the progress of the disease.  The Alzheimer's Society funds research into the causes, care, cure and prevention of dementia.  They are provide information and support to sufferers and their families and campaign to improve care across our health services.

Link

The Alzheimer's Society