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30/05/2016

My name is Helen Skinner and I am the Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Nurse Consultant for NHS Fife. This week is Alzheimer Scotland’s Dementia Awareness Week and lots of people across Scotland will be raising awareness and much needed funds for those living with and affected by dementia in Scotland.

We want to dispel the myths about dementia and 5 important things you maybe didn’t know are that:

  1. Dementia is not a natural part of ageing
  2. Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain
  3. Dementia is not just about losing your memory – it can affect talking and walking, as well as many other things
  4. It’s possible to live well with dementia
  5. There’s more to the person than their dementia

Many people don’t realise but the term ‘dementia’ is an umbrella term for a range of illnesses and disease symptoms which affect the brain. Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia are the most common but there are other types too. There are over 90,000 people living with dementia in Scotland.

There are lots of people in NHS Fife who constantly strive to improve the care of people with dementia – as well as my role we have over 40 dementia champions working in the wards and in outpatients, and over 230 Dementia Friends, including porters, domestics, receptionists and volunteers. We also hold regular dementia café’s for carers to provide support and information so frequently needed.

If you want to know more about dementia there will be a daily news item all week about dementia and related subjects, as well as dementia information stands in the main entrances at Victoria Hospital (Monday 30th May 2016 2-5pm) and Queen Margaret Hospital (Thursday 2nd June 2016 2-5pm), and also information available at Glenrothes Hospital, Adamson Hospital, St Andrews Hospital and Cameron Hospital.

For more information about dementia please visit the Alzheimer Scotland website on www.alzscot.orgor call their Freephone number on 0808 808 3000.

For information and support in NHS Fife please contact me on helen.skinner@nhs.netor 01592 643355 x28429