ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY’S DEMENTIA AWARENESS WEEK
19th-25th May 2013
This week is Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Awareness Week and here at Crane & Staples we want to get people talking about dementia.
Did you know that there are 800,000 people with dementia in the UK? By 2021, this figure is set to rise to 1 million.
Many people worry that they may be at risk of developing dementia – particularly if they have a close relative with the condition. In fact, people over 55 now fear dementia more than any other condition, including cancer.
Researchers have discovered some important factors that affect our risk of developing dementia. These include age and genetics, but also medical history, lifestyle and environmental factors.
Many of us notice that our memory gets worse as we get older, but it can be difficult to tell whether this is a sign of an underlying condition like dementia.
If you think someone close to you might have dementia, it can be difficult to start a conversation about it. Help is at hand. We work with the Alzheimer’s Society and they can assist with finding some things you can do to make it easier. They can also help on having that first conversation with your GP, if you're worried about your own memory.
When you're caring for someone with dementia, it can be all too easy to ignore your own needs and to forget that you matter too. But it's much easier to cope if you look after your own health and wellbeing, and there is lots of support available.
Here at Crane & Staples we have dedicated and specialist members of staff who can offer a complete, professional and sympathetic service in helping you and your family make the right decisions at what can be an upsetting and bewildering time.
If you are at all concerned about who will look after you and your affairs in the event you are unable to do so then we urge you to consider a Lasting Power of Attorney. This document puts you in control by giving authority to someone you trust to assist you to look after your affairs if you are unable to do so yourself.
We can also take you through the process of going into a care home, the funding, benefits and assessments. We can sort out your tax affairs, prepare your Will and can even assist with finding the right home or care in your home and take away your worries and concerns.
Please contact either Samantha Webb or Erica Pearce-Howard who will be happy to listen and help with your concerns.