Dementia is a term that millions fear, and that’s because humans desperately want to retain their faculties and remain in control of their own destiny. No-one wants to lose all of their precious memories, have trouble communicating with loved ones or find it difficult to complete ordinary tasks, right?
Now, when it comes to developing dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease is arguably the most common cause. It can kick in as early as middle age, and results in a gradual deterioration of your mental functions. Essentially, it occurs when your brain just naturally degrades over the years, but it’s something that doesn’t affect everyone.
Unfortunately, those that it does affect can become very isolated from the rest of the world. Even though family and friends do all they can to fuel their passion for life, the inability to live with full control can be devastating and it’s easy to feel lonely. Plenty sufferers feel that they lose their voice and can no longer have a positive impact on the world, which is far from the truth.
All it needs is a solid support system in place to provide the necessary confidence to start reclaiming a hold on life. Yes, there’s no denying that Alzheimer’s is a horrific disease that can significantly reduce the quality of existence. But, the simple nature of having a voice can be so empowering.
That’s why patient advocates are so appreciated in the dementia world. They fight tirelessly to make lives better for those suffering, and constantly strive to support people with Alzheimer’s in any way possible. In turn, patients are able to feel strong enough to pursue their dreams, live life on their own terms and keep battling against dementia.
But, patient advocates also help when times aren’t so great. Let’s face it, those with Alzheimer’s will encounter numerous days where they feel rock-bottom, but a support system will offer encouragement, motivation and general helping hand. Moreover, a wonderful example of patient advocates for those with dementia is the Scottish Dementia Working Group. For eleven years, they’ve been making a difference in the lives of those with Alzheimer’s Disease.
The hours of research, the thousands of pieces of informational content, the robust support and the voice they give to suffers is sensational. Of course, this type of group isn’t viable everywhere in the world, as you’d need adequate funding and a complete structure. But, it just goes to show how much progress a person with Alzheimer’s can make with a group of people advocating for them.
If you hop online, there are plenty of sites that offer a similar level of support, guidance and help. Although it may be slightly different to having a “real life” community, an online global support system is the next best thing. If those with Alzheimer’s can freely have their say and be listened to, it’ll allow them to feel like they matter, which they most definitely do!