Just Lets – Peterborough is happy to be working with The Alzeimers Society as its chosen charity. We hope that we will be able to raise awareness of the various forms of Dementia and the support structures that are available for those who have the disease and for those who care for them.
We will be helping, where we can, to raise funds for the much needed charity. If you would like to help too then please get in touch with Just Lets – Peterborough Office Manager (Heidi Birkhead) on 01733 346255
Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading care and research charity for people with dementia and those who care for them.
There are over 800,000 people with dementia in the UK, with numbers set to rise to one million by 2025.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. The word dementia describes a set of symptoms that can include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. These symptoms occur when the brain is damaged by certain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzeimers Disease
Alzheimer’s disease, named after the doctor who first described it (Alois Alzheimer), is a physical disease that affects the brain. There are more than 520,000 people in the UK with Alzheimer’s disease. During the course of the disease, proteins build up in the brain to form structures called ‘plaques’ and ‘tangles’. This leads to the loss of connections between nerve cells, and eventually to the death of nerve cells and loss of brain tissue. People with Alzheimer’s also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemical messengers help to transmit signals around the brain. When there is a shortage of them, the signals are not transmitted as effectively. As discussed below, current treatments for Alzheimer’s disease can help boost the levels of chemical messengers in the brain, which can help with some of the symptoms.
Vascular Dimentia
Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia (after Alzheimer’s disease), affecting around 150,000 people in the UK. Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood supply to the brain due to diseased blood vessels. To be healthy and function properly, brain cells need a constant supply of blood to bring oxygen and nutrients. Blood is delivered to the brain through a network of vessels called the vascular system. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged – so that the blood vessels leak or become blocked – then blood cannot reach the brain cells and they will eventually die. This death of brain cells can cause problems with memory, thinking or reasoning. Together these three elements are known as cognition. When these cognitive problems are bad enough to have a significant impact on daily life, this is known as vascular dementia.
Alzeimers Society – Help and Support
Alzheimer’s Society provides information and support for people with all forms of dementia and those who care for them. It runs quality care services, funds research, advises professionals and campaigns for improved health and social care and grater public understanding and awareness of dementia.
You can find a raft of information on the types of Dementia and the support that is available by visiting the website at: Click Here
The Alzheimer’s Society – Peterborough Branch can be found at: Dementia Resource Centre, 441 Lincoln Road, Millfield, Peterborough, PE1 2PE. Tel: 01733 893853
