Loading
Anchor Homes
    • Our properties
      • Properties for rent
      • What could my new home be like?
      • 24-hour peace of mind
      • What is included?
      • Properties for sale
      • What could my new home be like?
      • Anchor’s property management service
      • Anchor’s tenure types
      • Care homes
      • What could my new home be like?
      • Care home fees
      • Catering and making the most of mealtimes
      • Approach to wellness and activity
      • iPad technology in our care homes
      • Retirement villages
      • What could my new home be like?
      • A lifestyle you'll love
      • Wellbeing and support
    • Community centre
    • Our care
    • Anchorcall emergency care
      • Mobile telecare service
      • Oysta Pearl+ mobile device
      • Oysta Help on hand mobile device
      • Oysta Just in case mobile device
      • Housing with care
      • Independent living
      • Rented sheltered housing
      • Luxury care
    • Respite care
    • Convalescence care
      • Residential care
      • Health and personal care
      • The right people
      • A fulfilling life
      • Dementia care
      • Safe and supportive environments
      • Dementia and care training excellence
      • Person-centred dementia care
    • Anchor and you
    • Join the Customer Council
  • Existing customers
    • News, events and blogs
    • News
    • Community events
    • Anchor's blog
  • Contact us
    • Call free on

      0808 102 4069
    • 8am-6pm, Monday - Friday
      8am-4pm, Saturday

    • Request a call back
  • Individual
  • Careers
  • Professionals
  • Media
Anchor Homes
  • Individual
  • Careers
  • Professionals
  • Media
  • Home
  • Individual
  • Dementia FAQs - the questions people want to ask a dementia specialist

Dementia FAQs - the questions people want to ask a dementia specialist

As Anchor’s Head of Care Quality I work across all our care homes ensuring we provide exceptional dementia care to our customers. 

I’m passionate about supporting people to live well with dementia and believe that raising awareness of what dementia is and how it may develop can help ensure people get the right support early on.

I work closely both with people living with dementia and their support networks; family, friends and carers, and there are a number of key questions I am asked repeatedly, so in this blog I aim to answer a couple of dementia FAQs. 

Dementia care image

What do you mean by the term “dementia”? What is dementia and how does it impact on people?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a group of symptoms that cause a disturbance in the brain’s functioning.

There are many different types of dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society (2007) estimates that there are 100 different types.

Every person is unique and will experience dementia in their own way. The different types of dementia can affect people differently. The most common signs and symptoms of dementia can include:

  • Day-to-day memory loss – difficulty recalling events that happened recently
  • Language – difficulties following a conversation or understanding others
  • Visuospatial skills – problems judging distances (e.g. on stairs) and seeing objects in three dimensions
  • Orientation – losing track of the day or date, or becoming confused in familiar surroundings
  • Problems with thinking and reasoning
  • Difficulties with concentrating, planning and everyday tasks
  • It’s important to note that memory loss is not enough to diagnose dementia. Forgetting things can be a product of the busy lives that we lead. Only when this reaches a stage where it is stopping everyday functions can it be a symptom for dementia.

How common is dementia? Will I get dementia?

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are currently 850,000 people living with dementia in UK and this is predicted to rise to two million by 2051 (Alzheimer’s Society 2012).

These are huge numbers and as our population continues to grow older, more and more of us are likely to know someone living with dementia.

We’ve seen some good developments in research around preventing dementia, many of which are covered in this factsheet produced by the Alzheimer’s Society. It explains very well what is known about the factors that affect our risk of developing different types of dementia and gives some advice on the steps people can take to reduce their risk.

What we need to ensure is that we’re supporting people who are living with dementia. It’s important to know that if you are diagnosed with dementia that you are not alone, and there is some brilliant care and support available.

Dementia care image 2

Why are surroundings important when supporting people with dementia?

People with dementia can get confused in a familiar environment, so it’s a good idea to make everything easily recognisable.

The most important thing that we highlight at Anchor is person-centred care. Every person is unique and the surroundings that they find comforting will depend on their own personal life story.

Due to the symptoms of dementia such as memory loss and difficulties with vision, people can experience  anxiety, feeling worried or confused  so it is important to create surroundings that are not sterile, but homely so that people feel relaxed and  at ease.

Creating areas for meaningful activity, such as interactive sections of hallways can spark spontaneous conversation and places for people to join together. This can help reduce isolation and boredom, which can be critical when supporting people living with dementia.

Providing a stimulating environment as well as making it feel homely can maximise independence and quality of life.

Where can I find more information about dementia and get support?

If you think you or a loved one may be developing dementia your GP should be your first port of call. Your GP will be able to run through some simple checks to assess the symptoms being described and offer you information and answer your questions face to face.

Anchor has also developed a guide to help families of people living with dementia which you can download for free here. This discusses the early signs of dementia as well as how to get a diagnosis and could be helpful. 

You could also become a Dementia Friend by visiting www.dementiafriends.org.uk The Prime Minister has set a challenge that by 2020 there will be over 3 million registered dementia friends in England, with England leading the way in turning Dementia Friends into a global movement.

There are lots of charities set up to provide information and support for people living with dementia as well as their carers, useful websites include:

www.alzheimers.org.uk
www.dementiauk.org
www.dementiauk.org/what-we-do/admiral-nurses 
www.dementiaaction.org.uk
www.carers.org 

The most important thing is to get the support you need, don’t tackle this alone. It can be helpful getting a timely diagnosis of dementia and support from the early stages can really help to continue to live a happy and fulfilled life.

Rob Martin is Anchor’s Head of Care Quality

Read our full guide to supporting a loved one with dementia and find out about our approach to dementia care.

This website uses cookies which track activity so that you get the best possible experience. By continuing to use this website we will assume you are happy and cookies will be set. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Useful links

  • Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy
  • myHR staff portal
  • Anchor Hanover website

Contacts

  • 0808 102 4069
  • Request a callback

Newsletter

Sign up for our free monthly email newsletter

Happy living for the years ahead

Top 20 Group Award 2019 LaingBuisson Care Winner 2019

© 2019 Anchor Hanover Group

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
Follow us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
Email Back to top

Login to Anchor

  • Favourites
  • Apply
  • Existing customers

Create a website account to save a list of your favourite Anchor properties.

Enter your e-mail address or username.
Enter the password that accompanies your e-mail.
Register now
Forgotten your password? Click here to reset

If you are over the age of 55 and wish to apply for rental housing with Anchor you can apply online.

Complete a Housing Application Form

If you already live in an Anchor leasehold or rental property, use MyAccount to securely access and manage your personal information online.

Access MyAccount

Property Finder


View properties by county

Share this page...

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • GooglePlus
  • Whats App
  • Facebook messenger
  • Email

Search Anchor

Looking for property contact details?