Dementia
Dementia affects about 800,000 people in the UK.
The risk of developing it increases as you get older, and is more common in people over the age of 65.
It is not a disease; it is a collection of symptoms because of damage to the brain, usually caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
Symptoms
Dementia is progressive. This means that the symptoms will change and get more serious over time. In the much later stages, people may be able to do less for themselves and may find it harder to communicate.
This is why it’s important to go to your GP as soon as you recognise symptoms such as memory loss, confusion or changes in personality.
Can it be prevented?
Some risk factors are difficult or impossible to change, such as age and your genes. However, experts agree that what’s good for your heart is also good for your brain. This means you can help reduce your risk by:
- eating a healthy, balanced diet
- maintaining a healthy weight
- moving more
- keeping alcohol to a minimum
- stopping smoking
- keeping blood pressure at a healthy level
Dementia Friends
Being a Dementia Friend isn’t about volunteering or fundraising (though you can do that too if you want). It’s about being aware and understanding of people living with the disease. To find out more, visit the Dementia Friends website.
Do you represent a business or provide a service in the Royal borough? Find out how you can make Greenwich a more dementia-friendly borough.
Useful Links
- Stay Well This Winter Cold weather can be seriously bad for your health. Find out more about staying well this winter.
- Dementia Friends Aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition.
- NHS Choices - dementia Information and signs and symptoms of dementia.
- Greenwich Community Directory Your online health and social care directory.
Downloads
- Free NHS Health Check PLUS – Small Changes, Big Results. Aged 40-74? Download the leaflet to find out how your NHS Health Check can help to prevent potential risks to your health.
- Greenwich Community Directory Online gateway to care and support. Information about your online health, social care and community directory. Downloadable and print-friendly leaflet.
- Greenwich Community Directory Find out about the range of support on offer through the Directory and the local organisations that can help you to make best use of this tool.
- Greenwich Community Directory Online gateway to care and support. Know where to access information on social care, health, wellbeing and advice services in the Royal Borough with this handy business card.
Helping you Live Well in Greenwich
Live Well Greenwich Line
Call FREE: 0800 470 4831