NRS Healthcare – Raising Alzheimer’s Awareness
I lost my nan to an aggressive form of Alzheimer’s. This was in 1998, but even today, almost 20 years on, I can still remember everything in vivid detail, from the moments when we cried with despair that there was nothing we could do, and laughed out loud because it was the only thing to do. Alzheimer’s takes away the person you love, even if they are still there in body, and despite the fact that it affects so many people – 1 in 14 people over 65, 1 in 6 people over the age of 80, it is still a disease that we seem to know so little about, or talk about in any sort of real detail.
NRS Healthcare, a provider of disability and living aids are currently in the middle of a really worthwhile social campaign designed to bring more awareness to all aspects of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. They are supporting World Alzheimer’s month by sharing one interesting fact about the disease every day throughout September through their Twitter account at @NRSHealthcare. There are facts about factors that can increase the chance of developing Alzheimer’s, as well as suggesting things that could help those who have developed the disease.
I applaud this campaign whole- heartedly. When my nan faced the disease, the stress and pressure on the immediate family were immense, especially in the days when we were struggling to get used to the diagnosis. It is hard to have to break the news to your mother that your father has died, an horrific groundhog day where they grieve over and over. My nan had vivid memories of her childhood and youth, knocking on doors of houses where she had lived as a girl inquiring about her sisters and parents. Yet she couldn’t remember to pay the bills, or what had happened the day before, and eventually people were forgotten too, lost in some fog in the mind that mercilessly takes away all the things that make a person so special. Think of those houses destroyed during the blitz, a facade left standing with nothing behind it. That is Alzheimers.
We need campaigns like NRS Healthcare’s, and days like National Alzheimer’s day (21st September) to raise the awareness of what people live with on a day to day basis, and how their loved ones are suffering, often in silence, as they try to shoulder a burden.
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26 Comments
LaaLaa
Aw, sorry about your nan! I’ve had someone close to me die from Dementia and it’s just watching their memories slip away, I was fortunate they never stopped recognising who I was but it was heartbreaking to know a lot of shared memories, he no longer had. Thanks for bringing this day to light x
Jessica McDonnell
Great post. I’m sorry to hear about your Nan. I’ve had many loved ones suffer from Dementia and it’s a horrible condition.
Milly Youngman
So sorry to hear about your nan 🙁 This is such a great campaign, well done for showing your support!
melissa major
I’m sorry to hear about your nan. Dementia is a horrible condition the same happened to my great grandma and it was upsetting.
Tara
Well done for raising awareness, sounds like a great campaign.
Sarah Bailey
We lost my Gran to dementia – the worst thing was her not remember who you are anymore – just being lost inside herself.x
Rachel
Well done for raising awareness hun, it is such a cruel disease x
Joanna
Sorry to hear about it nan I lost my grandma to dementia its so sad and was so hard especially for my auntie.
Christine Dodd
A very worthwhile campaign – dementia is heartbreaking for the individual and of course the family.
Louise
This is a really good campaign that I hadn’t heard of until now. Alzheimer’s really scares me and I’ll be making sure I donate on the 21st x
Sarah
This is a very interesting post, and a very worthwhile campaign. I’m sorry to hear about your nan. Time doesn’t forget I know x
Laura
Alzheimer’s is such a cruel disease and I’m sorry your family had to go through that. It’s great that you’re raising awareness on your blog.
Ana De- Jesus
I was a carer during my final year of university and it was awful seeing how alzheimers or dementia takes away their identity. It is awful.
Liz Mays
I had no idea that high blood pressure could have an effect on developing Alzheimer’s.This is really helpful info.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
This is such a great cause! It’s amazing what a difference that keeping your brain active can have.
Laura H
My dad is getting on in age and I’m starting to worry about him. Will have to show this to him and encourage him to learn new things.
Sam | North East Family Fun
Thanks for helping to raise awareness around this really important issue – there is still a lot of work to be done but every blog or social media post helps I think xx
Hannah
So glad your raising awareness on this. Nobody seems to talk about it 🙁
Nayna Kanabar
I ma sorry to hear about you nan. You are doing a good job by raising awareness.
MadeFromBeauty
This is a very important campaign and glad that you are helping raise awareness!
Baby Isabella
So sorry to hear about your nan 🙁 Alzheimers is still such a mystery for some and it’s great that you are helping to raise awareness through this post xx
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
So sorry about your nan, mine suffered from Alzheimers and it was awful to see her getting worse.
Jemma
My Nan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s nearly 2 years ago and it’s such a devasting disease.
Zoe IKIWN
I lost my grandmother to Alzheimers and I’m very sorry to hear about yours. Thank you so much for using your platform to help raise awareness of this condition. xx
Helen at Casa Costello
Any form of Dementia is the most heart breaking disease. I still struggle to talk about it 7 years after losing my precious Dad. x
nicol
i do wish there was awareness for this as my grandma has it and it’s really hard. she doesn’t recognise me anymore and it’s just getting worse