Symptoms can include:
- Memory Loss.
- Difficulty with communication and reasoning skills.
- Changes in emotional behaviour (becoming sad, angry).
- Disorientation (confusion about time and place, even in familiar surroundings).
- Confused perception of physical environment (e.g. a doormat may be perceived as a puddle)
Treatment focuses on slowing the progression of the disease and maintaining the individual’s quality of life.
Social isolation is known to exacerbate the symptoms of people living with dementia; the U3A can therefore make an important contribution to the individual’s wellbeing.
Making your u3a dementia-friendly
Understanding and support of the broad membership of the u3a are needed to create a dementia-friendly environment.
Key Messages
- Hope: people living with dementia can have a good quality of life, provided they remain involved in everyday life, including going to their U3A.
- Dignity: Be aware that dementia does not necessarily equate with loss of intellect and everybody is affected differently
- Understanding: Being unable to communicate something important is frustrating – especially so when this is due to memory loss or reasoning processes.
- Be a Friend: If you know someone with dementia, treat them as you always have done, show that you are pleased to see them or perhaps share a joke.
Actions
- Speak clearly and in short sentences.
- Listen to what the person is saying.
- A small amount of knowledge can enable a great amount of change.
- Involve the family members and carers, where possible. Remember that a carer can attend with the member who has dementia and need not become a member and pay, but will still be covered by U3A Public Liability Insurance (this does not apply to paid carers)
- See if you can persuade at least one member to become a Dementia Friend’s Champion.
- If you have a carer/family member amongst your members, ask them to share their experiences.
- Organise a Dementia Friends awareness session. More information is available on dementiafriends.org.uk.
Members on their own
Most u3as have a significant number of members who live on their own and it is possible that the symptoms of dementia will first be noticed by friends at the U3A. If you are worried about someone’s memory suggest they read the Alzheimer’s Society leaflet ‘Worried About Your Memory?’ and see if you can persuade the person to see their GP and offer to go with them. If possible contact a relative. Bear in mind that the person may be anxious and quite frightened about this as they may be aware that they are having some difficulties.
Making Open Meetings accessible
- Encourage the member to bring a family member or carer with them.
- Have clear signage – for coffee, toilets etc.
- Don’t be afraid of saying the wrong thing, it is better to be friendly than to not speak at all, use clear and uncomplicated language.
Making Interest Groups accessible
- Use people’s names more than usual so the member knows who’s who.
- Explain the format of the group and what is going to happen in the session
- Be patient.
- Encourage all group members to be welcoming.
- Sometimes changes in someone’s behaviour may cause an issue; if this happens try to lead the member to a quiet space and sort it out in a positive manner with little fuss.
Simple ways you can help people with dementia
- Offer reassurance and understanding – put someone experiencing difficulties at ease.
- Communicate clearly – listen carefully and use simple, short sentences when speaking to someone with dementia.
- Be aware of the surroundings – noisy or busy environments can make people with dementia uneasy or add to their confusion. Consider how features of the environment may affect someone.
- Ensure any signage is clear and people can find what they want easily.
For access to support from other organisations please click here