Cavendish Homecare celebrates World Alzheimer’s Day

In celebration of World Alzheimer’s Day, the team at Cavendish Homecare Professionals hosted a special afternoon with guest speakers including Professor Deborah Sturdy OBE – Chief Nurse, Adult Social Care, Department of Health and Julia Jones, Co-founder of John’s Campaign.

Deborah Sturdy, Julia Jones and Maggie Candy discussed the importance of campaigns such as John’s Campaign, which recognises the important role of family members who care for people who are living with dementia. They also highlighted the importance of music for people with dementia and how charities such as Playlist for Life harness the powerful effects of music to help anyone who is affected by dementia, their families, and carers.

Our Guests

Professor Deborah Sturdy OBE – Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Queen’s Nursing Institute member and Nursing advisor Care England

In December 2020, Professor Deborah Sturdy OBE, was appointed Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care in England.

Prior to this, Professor Sturdy was employed as Professional Nursing Advisor at the Department of Health and Social Care between 2000 and 2011. She has had a long and successful career in nursing, including working with older people and those living with dementia.

Julia Jones – Co-founder of John’s Campaign

In November 2014, Julia Jones, alongside Nicci Gerard, set up a dementia care advocacy group called John’s Campaign. John’s Campaign promotes extended visiting rights for family carers of patients with dementia in hospitals in the UK.

John’s Campaign understands and respects that individuals are the best judges of what is essential in their own care and wellbeing. It aims to inspire carers and nurses, from dementia care, to respect the rights and choices of everyone who needs care.

Julia is also working with “Rights for Residents” which promotes access for families and carers to accompany those living with dementia who go to hospital.

World Alzheimer’s Month

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60-70% of dementia cases.

World Alzheimer’s Day – 21^st September

World Alzheimer’s Month is a global opportunity to raise awareness around, educate, encourage support of and demystify dementia. It takes place on 21st September as part of World Alzheimer’s Month. The theme for this year is ‘Know dementia, know Alzheimer’s’ and focuses on post-diagnosis support. The campaign aims to highlight the importance of support for people living with dementia and families following a diagnosis.

Playlist for Life

Playlist for Life is a music and dementia charity. It was founded in 2013 by writer and broadcaster Sally Magnusson. Playlist for Life harnesses the powerful effects of personal music to help anyone who is affected by dementia. This includes their families and carers. Whether it’s the music from a first dance, lullabies from childhood or a theme tune from a favourite TV show, music can take us back in time and remind us of our past, giving you that flashback feeling.

A word from Maggie Candy – Nursing Consultant RN and John’s Campaign Ambassador

National Playlist Day  highlights the power of personalised music playlists for people living with dementia. On 29th September, Playlist for Life is asking everyone to share the music that soundtracked their youth, and the memories the songs bring back. Music is more preferable than medications. It can provide those living with dementia a real connection with their past and bring joy – often enabling singing/humming even when normal communications are lost.

Playlist for Life recommends setting up a musical playlist called the “Memory Bump”. Evidence shows that we make more memories between the ages of 10 and 30 that at any other time in our lives. This is a period which is known as the ‘Memory Bump.’ Getting to know the individual behind the illness will help find out what type of music they like. The music can be played daily for 30 minutes as part of their daily routine.”

Music for Dementia

Another great online resource is the music for dementia radio station, MFD.Radio. It was set up during Covid 19 to support people when social interactions were not possible. This is a streamed free music service with music 24/7 and you can choose which decade to listen to. It is everyone’s responsibility to help ensure those living with dementia have meaningful engagement and enjoyment in their lives. Music may just do this!”