DementiaRoadmap
Promoting living well with dementia across Scotland
Staying healthy
Leading a healthy lifestyle can help to protect against cognitive decline. When someone has dementia, it’s important that they remain as fit and healthy as possible – both physically and mentally. The better a person feels, the better life will be for them and those around them.
Physical exercise is essential for maintaining good blood flow to the brain as well as to encourage new brain cells. It also can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes, and thereby protect against those risk factors for Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Social activity not only makes physical and mental activity more enjoyable, it can reduce stress levels, which helps maintain healthy connections among brain cells.
Mentally stimulating activities strengthen brain cells and the connections between them, and may even create new nerve cells.
In order to stay healthy it is important to eat balanced meals, drink plenty of fluids, sleep well and take regular physical exercise. Visiting primary care regularly means that other health problems or those that could make dementia appear worse can be recognised and treated at an ealry stage so avoiding complications and risk of admission to hospital.
Information
Services
Information
- Rare Dementia SupportRare Dementia Support offer a range of support services for people living with affected by rare dementia diagnoses.
- Physical Activity and Sleep – Lancet ReportEvidence from The Lancet to show exercise and good-quality sleep can reduce risk of developing dementia.
- Physical Activity and the Risk of DementiaEvidence to show exercise can reduce risk of developing dementia.
- Building Healthy Habits – Age ScotlandAge Scotland offers some useful advice on how to build healthy habits for later in life to keep you well for longer.
- Alcohol and Dementia – The LancetAlcohol and Dementia - The Lancet - This study from The Lancet shows evidence of excessive alcohol use and an increased risk of dementia.
- Alcohol and Dementia – Alzheimer ScotlandInformation from Alzheimer Scotland about the link between alcohol use and dementia
- Smoking and Dementia – Alzheimer ScotlandInformation about the link between smoking and dementia from Alzheimer Scotland
- Smoking and Dementia – ASHSmoking and Dementia - ASH - Information about the link between smoking and dementia
- Dementia ToolkitDementia Toolkit for assessment, diagnosis, care and support for people with dementia and their carers developed by Improvement Scotland / Right Decision Service
- Tips for Eating and DrinkingTips on eating and drinking for people with dementia and their family and friends
- Living with Dementia – 51 Tips to Help You With Daily LivingIn this in-depth infographic and article UK Care Guide offers a range of tips of advice to help people to live well with dementia.
- Risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementiaThe World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia provide evidence-based recommendations on lifestyle behaviours and interventions to delay or prevent cognitive decline and dementia.
- The Daily SparkleThe Daily Sparkle is a professionally written daily and weekly reminiscence and activity tool supported by the UK's leading care organisations such as the NHS, AgeUK and DementiaUK.
- Good to go: A guide to dementia-friendly days outThis handbook published by Care UK aims to support carers relatives and friends who want to enjoy a variety of outings and trips with someone living with dementia.
- The Sound Doctor: Getting the best out of life with dementiaA series of films providing information to families living with dementia through the entertaining medium of TV/Film.
- No Secrets: guidance on protecting vulnerable adults in careThis guidance document published by the Department of Health sets out a code of practice for the protection of vulnerable adults in care.
- Wearing glasses with dementia factsheetThis factsheet discusses the issues that people with dementia who need to wear glasses may face. It will be useful for people with dementia, their families, carers, and professionals.
- Supporting a person with dementiaThis Easy Read factsheet published by the the Alzheimer's Society provides advice for someone with learning disabilities who may have a friend or relative with dementia.
- Spirituality and ageing: implications for the care and support of older peopleThis briefing paper published the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services explores why our ageing population requires person-centred care and developmental support in order to maximise its chances of ageing well.
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Services
- DACA – Alcohol Recovery ServiceFree and confidential service offering counselling and advice for anyone worried about alcohol.Dumbarton Area Council on Alcohol, West Bridgend Lodge, West Bridgend, Dumbarton G82 4AD01389 731456https://daca.org.uk/
- Quit Your WayFree and informal support from trained advisors with access to Nicotine Replacement Therapy or stop smoking medication. Anyone can refer themselves by calling 0800 916 8858.0800 916 8858http://www.wdhscp.org.uk/health-improvement/quit-your-way/
- West Dunbartonshire Leisure CentresWest Dunbartonshire Leisure run 3 sport centres across the area in Alexandria, Clydebank and Dumbarton. Classes for all age groups.West Dunbartonshire, UKhttps://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/leisure-parks-events/west-dunbartonshire-leisure/leisure-centres/
- Walk in the Park Health Walks – BallochHealth walks around Balloch Country Park. Call for more information.VisitScotland Balloch iCentre, Balloch Road, Balloch, Alexandria G83 8SS, UK01389 720486walkinthepark@wdc.com
- Alzheimer ScotlandAlzheimer Scotland online resources for carers.6-8 Miller Street, Clydebank, Scotland, G81 1UQ0808 808 3000westdunbartonshireservices@alzscot.orghttps://www.alzscot.org/living-with-dementia/caring-for-someone-with-dementia/resources-for-carers
- ALISS – A Local Information System for ScotlandALISS is an on-line local information system for Scotland. The website can connect you with groups, services and activities to support health and wellbeing across Scotland. Just type in your postcode to see what's on near you.https://www.aliss.org/
- Men’s Shed ClydebankMen's Shed Clydebank opens 10am every Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat until afternoon. Pop in for a chat 👍🏻. Full workshop, days out, great company. 07482 908705mens.shedclydebank@gmail.com
- Playlist for LifeBeing able to respond to music is the one thing dementia cannot destroy. Playlist for Life encourages families and caregivers to create a playlist of personally meaningful music on an iPod for people with dementia. 3 Castle Court, Carnegie Campus, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, KY11 8PBhttp://www.playlistforlife.org.uk/
- Engage & CreateEngage & Create is a not-for-profit organisation that uses creativity and conversation to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and those that care for them.Brighton, UKrachel@engageandcreate.comhttp://www.engageandcreate.com
- Sporting Memories NetworkThe Sporting Memories Network, also known as Replay, is a national charity which promotes the use of sporting memories to improve the wellbeing of older people and to tackle dementia, depression and social isolation.Orchard House, Long Street, Topcliffe. North Yorkshire, YO7 3RLadmin@sportingmemoriesnetwork.comhttp://sportingmemoriesnetwork.com
- Dementia Services Development CentreThe Dementia Services Development Centre is an international centre of knowledge and expertise dedicated to improving the lives of people with dementia.Iris Murdoch Building, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland01786 467740http://www.dementia.stir.ac.uk
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