AN ADVENTUROUS APPROACH TO LIFE WITH DEMENTIA

Approximately 944,000 people live with dementia in the UK, set to rise to 1.1 million by 2030. Until a cure is found, we need to support people with dementia and their families to lead active and fulfilled lives.

Dementia Adventure is an award-winning charity that supports people with dementia to get outdoors and experience the many benefits of nature. They think differently about dementia, focusing on the individual, not the condition, and looking at what people can do rather than what they can’t.

 

Although meaningful activity and connection with nature have been shown to have positive health and wellbeing benefits for people with dementia, many face barriers to accessing these benefits. This often results in an unnecessary decline in their wellbeing.

 

Dementia Adventure’s Supported Holidays make the most of all that nature offers. Having offered fully-supported dementia holidays for well over a decade, they understand the complex and individual needs of people living with dementia. They also recognise that carers need to relax and enjoy time with the person they care for, with all the planning and background tasks taken off their hands. Whether as an alternative to respite in which everyone gets a rest, or an opportunity to have an adventure together, Dementia Adventure supports people to have the break they deserve.

 

Their free training for friends and family supports people to live the most fulfilled lives they can on a daily basis. These online training sessions for family carers offer simple steps that can make a big difference to the experience of supporting someone with dementia, as well as the chance to meet others in similar situations.

 

They also implement social change through their Training and Consultancy services. As the only charity solely focused on dementia and nature, Dementia Adventure helps organisations to create inclusive services that offer people with dementia regular outdoor experiences. They are involved in the latest Research efforts through assistance with joint funding proposals and project ideas.

“THESE HOLIDAYS ARE A LIFESAVER”

Scott and his wife Helen hadn’t had a break in years. Scott lives with Parkinson’s disease dementia, and Helen struggled to adapt to life as a full-time carer; she missed her freedom, and enjoying things together. So despite Scott’s doctor’s claim that holidays weren’t a good idea, Helen booked their first supported holiday to Kielder.

 

It changed the way they thought about Scott’s capability. “Scott would smile more, talk more, and do more on holiday.” For Helen, the chance to get outside with support was a huge relief.

 

“By the end of the holiday I felt like a wife for the first time in a decade, rather than a carer.”

 

The holidays have changed things. “The benefits are ongoing. If Scott says, ‘I can’t go for a walk,’ I’ll say, ‘You went on a boat on Lake Derwentwater. You can go for a walk.’”

 

“These holidays are a lifesaver — the best thing you could possibly do. They’re priceless.”

 

Find out more at www.dementiaadventure.org