And so it goes on...

[AliceA]

It is called Understanding Dementia, a free 7 week course from the University of Tasmania.
It is part of their research programme. One has to enroll, I am not sure whether it is still open.
I have been unwell so am lagging behind but it is pitched at all levels.
The first part was about the structure of the Brain, it is well done with 'quizzes' then a final test at the end.
In May there is another Preventing Dementia.

I have just woken up but will try and put a link on later.

 

[Izzy]

Here's a link -

http://www.utas.edu.au/wicking/understanding-dementia

I found it a really interesting course.

 

[Grahamstown]

Hi AliceA - you and grahamstown mention you have been or doing a course - is this in on line and what is it for !

It’s University of Tasmania Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) called Understanding Dementia and enrolment is open until the end of March and free. I am really enjoying it and it gives me some structure to this disease, which is the reverse of what it’s actually like to live with. Theory is better than reality that’s the only problem, and you have to go back to reality eventually. Several people on TP have done it in the past and recommended it which is how I got onto it.
https://mooc.utas.edu.au/courses

Whoops just seen earlier posts but that’s ok I think! Also it strikes me that large numbers of the students are health care professionals although there are carers doing it too. I have shown it to my daughter who is a district nurse and she has shown an interest because they need to know. She has done study on the subject but this looks up to date.

 

[Mudgee Joy]

Hello everyone
I have read that statistically 20 %of men over 80 have dementia and women a little less (might be western countries only) - I think it’s a good idea to do everything possible to delay the onset by exercise , eating fish etc - so i might die without knowing it is started !! Especially as I won’t have a husband who can take care of me.
I want to do the course too but am still part time working at the moment - I really like the idea of educating people about it - I offered to give a talk on the subject to a men’s health group ! They declined .

 

[Mudgee Joy]

I seem to be your twin! Likewise if gave struggled even though I eat well but with care. Once when younger I walk 6 miles a day briskly. I did yoga, exercise class, gardened and still did not lose however this year has been bad as more has crept on. Frustrating isn't it.

Hi @Grannie G - I just wanted briefly to mention my ‘diet’ - I’ve been enlisted in a 3 year experiment on ‘maintain my brain training’ and it’s part food and part exercise program. I started about last October - I have lost a little weight but it’s not the exercise part it’s the food ! I think it’s designed to make you just less interested - eg some of the rules are -
No butter or margarine (makes toast unappetising ) no ice cream or cream.
No sweet things, no sugar in drinks. Sweet things once or twice a week !! No white bread or buns. But you can eat as much as possible of green veg and salad .. tomatoes and olive oil. (I am finding it has really reduced my interest in food!) plus my husband illnss just finishes me off !

 

[Grannie G]

Thank you @MudgeeJoy.

I don`t really want to lose interest in food, it`s one of life`s pleasures and of very great social importance. Every race, creed and culture celebrates with food and pities those who don`t have enough.

I just need to practice control. I`ve been practising for more than 60 years and still have not cracked it.

Sorry to hijack your Thread @Grahamstown. We`ll get back on topic now.

 

[AliceA]

Here's a link -

http://www.utas.edu.au/wicking/understanding-dementia

I found it a really interesting course.

Thanks I was hoping you might do that. It has been all go this morning, now for a treat, a trip to the dentist!
Mind you a change of scene to look on the bright side.

 

[Izzy]

Thanks I was hoping you might do that. It has been all go this morning, now for a treat, a trip to the dentist!
Mind you a change of scene to look on the bright side.

Oh dear - hope all is ok!

 

[Grahamstown]

Sorry to hijack your Thread @Grahamstown. We`ll get back on topic now

Absolutely no need to apologise, forums often go down avenues which broaden the debate. I have learned a new thing today about something which has puzzled me. Why do people who tick all the healthy lifestyle boxes get dementia? According to a big study in the US, the disease may be present but is kept at bay by the ability of the person. This may well delay the onset of the disease by +- ten years. Counterintuitively when those people do eventually succumb their decline is fast, as if the brain has worked so hard to keep well that it finally loses the fight and goes down quickly.

 

[AliceA]

Oh dear - hope all is ok!

Dentist was understanding and did a filling for my husband there and then. People are kind.
The volunteer driver was local so not as expensive as some.
We met and old colleague in passing too.
I hope you are well and making plans.
X

 

[Izzy]

Dentist was understanding and did a filling for my husband there and then. People are kind.
The volunteer driver was local so not as expensive as some.
We met and old colleague in passing too.
I hope you are well and making plans.
X

Thank you Alice. Yes all well here. I'm preparing to go away for a couple of weeks on Thursday. I'm really looking forward to it but of course my pleasure is always tinged with a sadness as I'd so love to be still doing this kind of thing with my husband. Not to worry. Onwards and upwards. Thanks for asking.

 

[AliceA]

I am pleased that you are going away, yes, it must be very bitter sweet.
I hope you will post pictures if appropriate. X

 

[Izzy]

I am pleased that you are going away, yes, it must be very bitter sweet.
I hope you will post pictures if appropriate. X

I will Alice. I’ll get back to my Some Days Are Diamonds thread. I’ve not posted in it for a long time!

 

[jugglingmum]

Excuse my jumping in @Grahamstown - I've missed your posts @Izzy with all the lovely photos

I looked to see if you posted for Burns night but you didn't (we went to our normal supper and ceilidh)

 

[Izzy]

Excuse my jumping in @Grahamstown - I've missed your posts @Izzy with all the lovely photos

I looked to see if you posted for Burns night but you didn't (we went to our normal supper and ceilidh)

I’ll go and open the thread now!

 

[Maryland]

It’s University of Tasmania Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) called Understanding Dementia and enrolment is open until the end of March and free. I am really enjoying it and it gives me some structure to this disease, which is the reverse of what it’s actually like to live with. Theory is better than reality that’s the only problem, and you have to go back to reality eventually. Several people on TP have done it in the past and recommended it which is how I got onto it.
https://mooc.utas.edu.au/courses

Whoops just seen earlier posts but that’s ok I think! Also it strikes me that large numbers of the students are health care professionals although there are carers doing it too. I have shown it to my daughter who is a district nurse and she has shown an interest because they need to know. She has done study on the subject but this looks up to date.

Thanks AliceA and grahamstown, will have a look. At first I thought because it was run by the University of Tasmania it was a foreign one but I see like me you live in the east of England as well as me so it must be open to most people, thank you,

 

[Grahamstown]

Thanks AliceA and grahamstown, will have a look. At first I thought because it was run by the University of Tasmania it was a foreign one but I see like me you live in the east of England as well as me so it must be open to most people, thank you,

You are right and people from all over the world are enrolled. I am finding it fascinating but a bit depressing to realise how much misinformation about the dementias is in the public domain, even with people who you would think would be more informed. There is something in the press every day which is sometimes misleading.

I have started preparing him for our holiday in two weeks time by mentioning it every day. If I say something neutral about our holiday he doesn’t know anything about it, but if I refer to our cruise he gets enthusiastic and starts saying what he is looking forward to, because I started this type of holiday last year after diagnosis when he was still physically more able. He looks at the photographs I took on his iPad a lot and I think he knows what it’s like because he can identify the things he likes to do. He is physically much weaker, spending a lot of time either in his chair or on his bed, but I am hoping that the stimulation of the ship will encourage him to do a bit more. I don’t think we shall be doing much ashore because that will make him anxious. He was anxious last year even though we were on escorted excursions, he was worried that we would miss the boat! Not an unreasonable worry for many people. I am up and down about how it’s going to work out but it’s about the only thing we can do now, which he can identify with, apart from mouldering at home which is his refuge now. Time will tell.

 

[AliceA]

We have done river cruising, a couple of times in a barge around Paris. Sometimes we stayed on the boat while others went on trips. There was something very special about this, the staff spoilt us and conversed with us too.
These are very happy memories, I was even allowed to steer! It will be lovely to hear about it at some point.
X

 

[Maryland]

You are right and people from all over the world are enrolled. I am finding it fascinating but a bit depressing to realise how much misinformation about the dementias is in the public domain, even with people who you would think would be more informed. There is something in the press every day which is sometimes misleading.

I have started preparing him for our holiday in two weeks time by mentioning it every day. If I say something neutral about our holiday he doesn’t know anything about it, but if I refer to our cruise he gets enthusiastic and starts saying what he is looking forward to, because I started this type of holiday last year after diagnosis when he was still physically more able. He looks at the photographs I took on his iPad a lot and I think he knows what it’s like because he can identify the things he likes to do. He is physically much weaker, spending a lot of time either in his chair or on his bed, but I am hoping that the stimulation of the ship will encourage him to do a bit more. I don’t think we shall be doing much ashore because that will make him anxious. He was anxious last year even though we were on escorted excursions, he was worried that we would miss the boat! Not an unreasonable worry for many people. I am up and down about how it’s going to work out but it’s about the only thing we can do now, which he can identify with, apart from mouldering at home which is his refuge now. Time will tell.

We used to cruise quite a lot with my sister and brother in law but sadly they both developed dementia and are no longer with us, I still take my OH to the States as our sin and four grandchildren live there. We now get a taxi to Manchester with in e direct flight but find the long flight an upheaval, but he is f8ne once he gets there and the children are brilliant with him. Don’t know for how king I can do this, the last time we went to the memory clinic th consultant said I should consider not going as it will make him more c8 fused but he does enjoy it once we get there, wondered if anyone else has any comments in this,

 

[Doggy86*]

I did get the car washed and got back to the usual evening but it is mentally exhausting. My daughter called and she is a great support. I had a message from my son first thing this morning about completing my grandsons birthday present which I had arranged back in January and never heard a word of thanks, so it really caught me on the raw. One’s nerve endings are very raw when dealing with this awful disease partly because you have no one to talk to about it. Your kind words are so consoling @AliceA and @Mudgee Joy and I know you both have a rough time. Talking about it here does relieve feelings.