Recently I became a dementia friend with the Alzheimer’s Society and I truly felt my eyes were opened with the training I received from my employer via Axela Training. I never fully understood the condition before and how it can affect someone. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia which can cause memory loss and difficulties in peoples thinking and other cognitive skills, affecting their everyday life.

Working for Respect Care even though I’m not a carer myself, I see the affect Alzheimer’s has on the people we care for. We all know someone who has been affected by this condition and it is difficult to live with. I felt empowered to know what I can do to help and quickly realised that doing even the smallest thing can have a big effect. Call it the butterfly of support.

So, Sat the 13th myself and some of my colleagues from Respect Care walked to bring awareness and raise money for the fight against Alzheimer’s. It was special to join so many people complete the 7.5km Memory Walk through London together. The atmosphere was emotional and enthusiastic at the same time. We were lucky with the warm, sunny weather. The route started in Barbican, passed St Paul’s Cathedral, then down to the River Thames before crossing at London Bridge. We walked back along the river to the Millennium Bridge and returned to Barbican for the finish.

“The volunteers were fantastic and full of energy"

Most people were doing it in memory of loved ones and along the walk various people came up to us to ask what we were doing and showed their support. This gave us the opportunity to spread the word and, so far, the walk has helped to raise over £395,000.

It felt great to take part in this.

The money raised goes toward funding new research and to support people with dementia. And although there is no current cure, it is important everyone is aware of it to be able to support and help people and ensure that sufferers receive the treatment and care they need to be able to have a fulfilling life. And they can have a fulfilling life, for you see, the mind may forget but the heart does not!

If you would like to find out more or take part in the next memory walk more information can be found on the memory walk website.

Facts about dementia

• Around 220,000 develop dementia every year.
• Dementia is not a natural part of ageing, We all forget a name or a face sometimes. Especially as we get older. But dementia is something different.
• Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain, Diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease cause nerve cells to die, damaging the structure and chemistry of the brain
• It's not just about losing your memory, When most people hear the word dementia, they think of memory loss.
• People can still live well with dementia, Although there is no cure for dementia, scientists and researchers are working hard to find one.

 

More information and how you can find support can be found on the Alzhemiers site.

 

 

Written by David Buschor - Financial Controller Axela