Kurt BBC Information NI Mid Ulster Reporter
BBCDementia was not one thing Peter Alexander anticipated to be recognized with in his late 40s.
It meant leaving his job and adapting to a brand new lifestyle.
Now, aged 56, Peter is captivated with addressing the stigma across the situation typically related to aged folks.
“I may not all the time have the ability to categorical it in the identical approach, however I am nonetheless the identical particular person I used to be, inside I am nonetheless Peter,” he informed BBC Information NI.
Peter was 49 when he made an appointment with a neurologist and was despatched for a scan.
“I used to be beginning to wrestle to satisfy deadlines (at work), which had by no means been an issue earlier than, and through conferences, I would not have the ability to consider a phrase when talking,” stated Peter, who’s initially from England however has lived in Northern Eire together with his spouse, Jill, for a number of years.
“I bear in mind the date very clearly, it was 14 January 2018 when the outcomes got here again and the physician stated: ‘Peter, I’ve recognized you with having Frontotemporal dementia’.
“I used to be mainly informed that it was now not protected for me to work as a result of I’ve diminished judgment and I used to be dropping my filter, so it was so much to adapt to.”
‘It could possibly manifest in numerous methods’
Frontotemporal dementia is an unusual kind of dementia that causes issues with behaviour and language.
“Individuals suppose when you’ve got dementia it is solely about forgetting issues but it surely’s extra complicated, it may possibly manifest in numerous methods.
“I do not need to be handled in a different way, it is crucial that folks really see the particular person, see past the situation.
“Sadly for many individuals, the prognosis can take an terrible very long time and that places an unlimited quantity of stress on the household unit.”
What’s dementia?
Dementia is a syndrome (a bunch of associated signs) related to an ongoing decline of mind functioning.
Reminiscence loss is among the commonest signs, significantly the wrestle to recollect current occasions.
Others can embrace adjustments to behavior, temper and persona, turning into misplaced in acquainted locations, or being unable to search out the proper phrase in a dialog.
It could possibly attain the purpose the place folks do not know when they should eat or drink.
Greater than 22,000 persons are residing with dementia in Northern Eire, in line with the Alzheimer’s Society.
The variety of folks residing with dementia in Northern Eire is anticipated to nearly triple by 2051 to 60,000. The Southern Belief is anticipated to have the very best variety of folks residing with the situation by 2032.
Whereas dementia is usually seen as a illness of previous age, about 5% of individuals with dementia are classed as having young-onset dementia.
Individuals whose signs began once they had been beneath the age of 65 are sometimes referred to as having young-onset dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Society estimates that there are greater than 70,000 folks within the UK residing with young-onset dementia.
In current months, Peter has teamed up with different folks in Northern Eire residing with dementia to make a movie about their expertise of on a regular basis life.
The documentary referred to as Hear Our Voice primarily focuses on folks with young-onset dementia.
It gives a glimpse of what residing with dementia is like, within the hope that it’ll create higher understanding and empathy.
Peter options all through the movie and narrates it.
“Respect was granted to individuals who have dementia to make and take management of the movie to assist us get throughout the distinctive challenges we now have,” he stated.
The movie options members of Dementia NI.
The group was arrange in 2015 by 5 folks residing with dementia, however 10 years on they now have 15 teams throughout Northern Eire.
The teams labored alongside the Southern and South Jap well being trusts when making the Hear Our Voice venture.
Dr Christopher Southwell, a marketing consultant in Outdated Age Psychiatry within the Southern Belief, believes the movie promotes a robust message.
“Dementia is a situation that has a huge impact on sufferers and their households and generally as healthcare professionals we acknowledge that there are issues that may be executed higher,” he stated.
“After I acquired concerned and ultimately watched the movie, it was necessary for me to have the ability to say to folks like Peter and others behind the movie that I do hear your voice and tackle board what you are saying.”
Members of Dementia NI just lately met Well being Minister Mike Nesbitt at Stormont.
They referred to as on him to make decreasing the time it takes to get a dementia prognosis a precedence.
Shortly after the movie was launched, in a press release, the well being minister stated: “I congratulate the trusts and Dementia NI for growing this highly effective documentary which I’ve little doubt will problem current stereotypes and shall be an informative option to educate folks in how finest to assist people residing with dementia.”
‘Dementia would not outline us’
Karen Kerr is head of engagement at Dementia NI.
She stated: “The members are actually passionate concerning the significance of getting an early prognosis and when you get an early prognosis it opens up lots of alternatives as a way to proceed to stay nicely with a way of function and that is additionally what the movie is making an attempt to spotlight.
“While you hear from folks like Peter, I believe it demonstrates that folks with dementia have a voice not only for themselves however for everybody affected with dementia.”
Peter added: “In terms of folks like me with dementia, please do not write us off, we now have a voice, dementia would not outline us.”
