What is dementia?
Dementia is a term used to describe a group of symptoms that may include memory loss, ability to think, solve problems, cognitive impairment and things such as reasoning that are severe enough to impact daily life.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in the UK. Other main diseases causing dementia are Vascular Dementia, Lewy Bodies (DLB), Frontotemporal Demenita and Mixed Dementia.
People diagnosed with Parkinsons can also have dementia symptoms.
Who does it affect?
Dementia is not a natural part of ageing but does generally affect older people. As we get older once healthy nerve cells in the brain can stop working, connections with other nerve cells are lost and die, causing some mild impairments such as forgetfulness.
People with dementia have a far greater loss of these nerve cells than others.
According to NHS England, around 850,000 people in the United Kingdom have dementia, and around around 540,000 people are carers for someone living with Dementia in England.
You are not alone
EKIDS coffee mornings, groups, events and outings are places where you can be with people who are in, or have been in similar cicrumstances to yourself.
Our volunteers facilitate gatherings where often the support is peer to peer. We also have visiting health care professionals and can signpost you to resources, people and organisations that may be able to help you along your dementia journey.
You do not need a formal dementia diagnosis to attend any of our groups, all are welcome.