Dementia Dementia affects approximately 50 million people worldwide, with around 10 million new diagnoses each year.

It is commonly believed that people dementia have memory problems, however this is only one part of it. As dementia progresses, it affects the individual's ability to think, often resulting in reduced concentration and visual or audible distortions of reality. Dementia can change the way a person behaves, including changes in personality, loss of inhibitions, or withdrawal. It is associated with a great increase in dependence due to the individual's loss of ability to carry out everyday activities that we all take for granted; I.e. forgetting how to eat, not remembering how to go to the toilet, getting lost in a house they have lived in for 50 years or even forgetting how to swallow food or how to talk.

This is a very cruel disease that impacts the individual and their family and friends physically, emotionally, psychologically and financially. As a family, we have experienced this first hand with both my grandparents; sadly our grandad died earlier this year with very advanced-stage mixed dementia. As a nurse I have also witnessed the struggles of families as they try their hardest to ensure their family member is well cared for in a safe place, with all the provisions they need whether that is in their own homes or in a care facility.

Dementia is not just a progression of old age and can affect people as young as those in their 20s!

We have decided to take part in the Strava January Challenge for Alzheimers Society to raise money that will go towards research and supporting families with dementia.

We have a mixed bag of running ability, but we will each be running/walking a minimum of 50 miles throughout January to try to achieve this fundraising challenge!

Please donate if you can to this great cause, especially since Covid-19 has had such a large impact on donations !

Many thanks

Siân, Rich, Kate, Lynn, Chloe, Millie and Sophie