One of Kilbarchan NWR members is strongly connected with Alzheimer Scotland through their support for her as a carer for her husband who has early onset dementia; through her involvement with their Active Voice section (National Dementia Carers Action Network); and by attending some of their community activities with her husband.
Last week is was Dementia Awareness week and some of our members and husbands decided to connect with both Alzheimer’s Scotland and the local community by taking part in fund raising which was being held at Morrison’s stores across Scotland. One member also held a “Tea and Blether” open house to further connect with Alzheimer Scotland and raise funds for them. This was very well supported by friends, family as well as her NWR family.
All donations help ensure that nobody faces dementia alone. Alzheimer Scotland connects with people by supporting brain research and health; raises awareness; staffs a 24 hour helpline and employs Dementia Champions who support people with dementia, their carers and also provide training in dementia.
A further important connection to NWR is that women are statistically more likely to develop dementia than men. This is not only because women tend to live longer but is thought to be caused by:
• More women than men being victims of domestic abuse resulting in brain damage
• Hormonal changes
• Stress resulting from more women being carers for elderly relatives at the same time as supporting children / grandchildren while often working as well.