Thanks for taking the time to visit my justgiving page. 

I am running this year's Great South Run in order to raise money for the Contented Dementia Trust.   Dementia, once diagnosed, is most easily understood as one’s increasing inability to store the facts of what has just been happening only moments before in one’s life, although feelings are stored in the normal way.

The Contented Dementia Trust has created the SPECAL method, a way of caring for those suffering with dementia to keep them in a state of sustainable well-being.  The SPECAL method is based on a particular understanding of dementia as experienced by the person with the condition.  They set out three key rules to assist those caring for someone with dementia which are:

- Don't ask direct questions;

- Listen to the expert (the person with dementia); and

- Don't contradict.

http://www.contenteddementiatrust.org/specal-method/three-golden-rules/

Not asking direct questions is always tricky but rather than "Would you like a glass of wine?" try "I think I'll have a glass of wine" and it always seems to get a positive response from Mum!

The Trust provides support and advice for professionals, carers and family members and have provided me with a system which has certainly helped me with Mum and those working with our family to care for her.  It is hard helping someone with dementia, but it makes it easier to deal with when you are not always correcting them and begin to accept what they say as gospel - everyone feels much more contented!

If your life is touched by dementia, because a family member or friend is suffering from this disease, I would really encourage you to contact the Trust or to read "Contented Dementia" by Oliver James which will give you a good grounding of the SPECAL method.

All your support is so much appreciated.  This is a small charity that should and could have a significant impact on the way those with dementia are cared for.

With many thanks

Annie x

p.s.  JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure way of donating. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time for you and more cost effective for the charity.