World Alzheimer's Month

At B Radio, we're raising awareness during World Alzheimer's Month...

Alzheimer's is something many of us have heard of, but what does it actually mean for the person living with it and for their family?

What is Alzheimer's?

Alzheimer's is a disease that gradually damages the brain, leading to memory loss, confusion and growing difficulty with everyday tasks. It is the most common cause of dementia, the umbrella term for serious memory and thinking problems that affect daily life. Symptoms often begin subtly and can progress to changes in personality and reduced independence.

How Alzheimer's impacts families

This condition does not just affect the person diagnosed - it has a big impact on loved ones too. Family members often become carers, which can be exhausting and emotionally intense. Common challenges include:

• Emotional strain: adjusting to changes in someone's character and independence.
• Carer burnout: full time care is tough without support or breaks.
• Financial pressure: planning for long term needs can feel daunting.
• Safety: as the illness progresses, wandering or accidents can become a risk, so the home may need changes or extra support.

Planning ahead

Sorting legal and care arrangements early helps ensure decisions reflect the person's wishes. Key steps include:

• Wills: making sure there is an up to date Will while capacity remains.
• Lasting Power of Attorney: one for health and care and another for finances, so a trusted person can make decisions if capacity is lost.
• Home care: domiciliary care from companies like Home Instead - Ascot, Camberley & Wokingham brings support with daily tasks, medication and companionship at home.
• Care homes: residential and specialist dementia care homes like Aria Care in Sonning Common, Sunningdale & Camberley provide 24/7 support when home help is not enough.

Local support in Berkshire

• Age UK Berkshire - Dementia support - dementia cafes, singing groups, carers support and activities across the county.
• Alzheimer's Society - Dementia Care Advisory Service, Wokingham - local advice, home visits and carer support.
• Dementia Friendly Wokingham - community partners working to improve local life for people with dementia.

Alzheimer's Podcasts

We've been speaking to local experts about the realities of living with dementia and the support available in Berkshire. Listen to the podcasts here

Events in Berkshire now through the end of the year

The listings below are recurring or rolling events that run through the year. Always check the organiser page for the next date and any changes.

• The Lavender Lounge
  Second Thursday of every month from 10:30am-12pm, run by Home Instead.  At The Foxes Den, Benetfeld Road, Binfield
• Singing For The Brain
  Bi-weekly from the 1st October between 1:3pm-3pm at Clement House, Bracknell. No booking required.  Alzheimer's Society's "Singing For The Brain" program, run by Home Instead.
• Memory Cafe - Reading Royals
  Third Wednesday monthly, 10:00 to 12:00 at Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading.
  Event details - Age UK Berkshire
• Dementia Cafes and Memory Cafes across Berkshire
  Ongoing sessions county wide including Reading and Wokingham.
  Find a Dementia Cafe - Age UK Berkshire
• Memory Lane Singing Cafes
  Regular singing sessions designed for people living with dementia and carers.
  Dementia activities and singing cafes - Age UK Berkshire
• Alzheimer's Cafe - Wokingham
  Regular community cafe for people with dementia and their carers at Wokingham Methodist Church.
  Listing and contact details - Wokingham Directory

If you run a local dementia friendly group in Berkshire and want it listed here, contact the B Radio team with your event name, date, time, venue and link.