We need to talk about dementia

Donald Macaskill from Scottish Care talks about your legal entitlement to Self Directed Support, and gives some information about your rights and the problems of fairness.

Prof June Andrews talks about the financial worry that having to pay for care can cause.

Prof June Andrews advises that everyone should organise a Power of Attorney just in case, but there is still time after diagnosis, as long as the doctor considers that you are still able to make that decision. They call that being "competent" to make a decision.

Dr Donald Macaskill talks about the differences between different care homes, such as residential, skilled nursing, and dementia specialist homes. Inspectorate reports will help you find the right one.

Dr Donald Macaskill talks about an issue that used to be taboo. Being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer has often caused a lot of challenges in the life of the older person with dementia. It is important to find a care home that is sensitive to your needs.

Prof June Andrews talks about the sort of care home that would suit her. It's important to know that care homes can be comfortable, cheerful and stimulating.

Dr Donald Macaskill talks about how a person can be supported at the end of life when they are living in a care home. Most care homes have trained staff for this.

Prof June Andrews talks in general about choosing a care home. Location matters. It has to feel right. And there are other signs that you can look out for.

Prof June Andrews describes how you can use reports prepared by inspectors to help with your decision about a care home.

There has been some really excellent research on how to help a person with dementia who also has visual impairment. This can affect the person's quality of life quite significantly and really impair their independence. Something as simple as increasing the light levels can make a big difference.

There are changes that you can make in the environment at home that will help the person with dementia. It is more difficult if the person has visual impairment and dementia, but there are still simple design changes that you can make.

If the person with dementia is living at home, the goal is to change as little as possible apart from increasing the light level. Avoid making changes that are not needed. It causes expense, and of course, the person with dementia might forget that the changes were made and wonder where all this new furniture came from.

The problems with mirrors for people with dementia are often discussed. If the person does not recognise their reflection, they might think that a mirror is a window, and they might be concerned that someone is staring at them, looking puzzled of course!

Making simple changes, like painting the bathroom door a different colour so it contrasts clearly with the walls around it, can help a person with dementia be as independent as possible and make it easier for them to find their way around.

Dr Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care, talks about the practicalities of arranging care at home yourself.

Dr Rodriguez talks about why the doctors are unlikely to send you for repeated scans, although a scan can be very useful at the start to get a picture of what is causing the problem in the first place.

Dr Vicky Fakhoury talks about what your GP can do for you after your diagnosis.

Professor June Andrews talks about the need to stay well for as long as possible

Dr Cesar Rodriguez talks about the CT scan, or MRI scan that might be offered.

Dr Cesar Rodriguez talks about what happens at the first hospital appointment.

GP Dr Vicky Fakhoury talks about what happens when you visit the GP to talk about dementia, and the sort of tests they will arrange.

GP Dr Vicky Fakhoury recommends bringing a family member or friend with you for the first visit to the GP

GP Vicky Fakhoury describes what happens at the memory clinic.

Dr Cesar Rodriguez talks about things you can do to reduce the risk of dementia or delay symptoms right now.

Professor June Andrews talks about whether it is good to tell people about your problem, if you are not sure.

Professor June Andrews talks about the benefit of talking to other people who have been along the same road.

Dr Cesar Rodriguez talks about how we might understand the behaviours of people with dementia caused by distress.

Dr Cesar Rodriguez talks about this specialism and the teams that work to make a diagnosis and give support.

Dr Cesar Rodriguez talks about ways of staying well and staying involved, even after retirement.

Dr Cesar Rodriguez, an NHS consultant, talks about symptoms of dementia, and why anti-psychotic (sedative) medicines are to be used sparingly.

Dr Cesar Rodriguez talks about worries you may have about inheriting dementia.

Of course families wonder if dementia is inherited. The position is complicated. Families who have a record of living to a great age include lots of relatives who lived long enough to get dementia.

Dr Cesar Rodriguez explains how dementia may change over time, or even from day to day, and why this happens.

GP Vicky Fakhoury says the sooner you start treatment, the more options you will have, and the better the potential outcomes.

GP Dr Vicky Fakhoury knows that it is hard to persuade someone to ask their doctor if they might have dementia, but it is really important.

Dr Donald Macaskill expresses grave concern about the limitations of short visits by home care staff.