Dementia in Scotland Winter 2017 – Issue 94 Prof. Craig Ritchie takes the reins at the Scottish Dementia Research Consortium 2 Dementia in Scotland Contents p6 The Little Art School Trust has gone from strength to strength since their big win at Scotland’s Dementia Awards 2016. p14 We wantFind out more about to how youkeep can stay in touch talking with us. to you The way we keep you informed about Alzheimer Scotland and dementia-related news is changing. If you want to continue to be a part of our life-changing work, you must give us your permission to keep in touch with you. Why we need your permission p12–13 In the past, you’ve joined us in making sure that nobody faces dementia alone. We need you to continue to stand with us. You’re an essential part of our network – whether you’re sharing news and information, supporting our awareness and policy campaigns or taking Balmore Ward at Leverndale Hospitalpart in fundraising activities. is one of 60 specialist dementiaYour support changes lives, and we’d love to keep you posted with our news, activities units in Scotland. and appeals. Why are you asking me to reconfirm my support? In spring 2018, the laws around how we contact you will change. We want to make sure our supporters have made a positive choice to hear from us. This means, in future, you’ll only hear about our vital work if you’ve chosen to. How we use your information Your details will only be used by Alzheimer Scotland – we will never give your information to other companies. You can also choose how you want to be contacted - whether by post, email, phone or text message. You are free to change your mind or unsubscribe at any time. p21 p4–5 Can we still talk to you? We partnered with the Lens for a ThisVisit September, www.alzscot.org/imin we launched Purple Alert, to whichgive helpsus your people permission with dementia one-of-a-kind competition. who have lost their way. Welcome Issue 94 – Winter 2017 3 Welcome! Looking back on this year, we have Since then we have increased our we can no longer contact you to seen a variety of innovative ideas, engagement in research even further offer advice and support. For more unique fundraising events, and new and are thrilled to have links with some information on staying in touch, see policies, which have all worked of the top universities in Scotland. Find the information on page 14 or call towards improving the lives of people out about our engagement in research, our helpline. with dementia. I cannot thank you and how you can support this work, Finally, this Christmas we’re all enough for your help in making on pages 9–11. emphasising how important our 2017 such a success – whether you On pages 12–13 we visit Balmore Dementia Advisors are to people with were helping us ‘Challenge Dementia’ Ward at Leverndale Hospital – one of dementia, their families and carers. On in the New Year; hosting Tea and 60 specialist dementia care units in pages 26–27, we hear from Mandy Pool Blether events during Dementia Scotland. Although many people with about her role as Dementia Advisor in Awareness Week; or if you were one dementia can stay in their community Dumfries and talk to the people in the of our wonderful Memory Walkers throughout their illness, some people area who rely on her. We would really this September. may have more complex needs which appreciate any support which can help Alongside our Memory Walk series, require specialist care in a dedicated us continue to fund this vital work. this September we launched the Purple setting. The team at Balmore Ward are Once again, I would like to express Alert app for World Alzheimer’s Day. dedicated to improving the wellbeing my most heartfelt gratitude to everyone The app encourages users to join a of patients and helping them return who has contributed to making 2017 community that assists people with to a traditional care environment another great year. I hope you enjoy dementia if they lose their way. Find out when possible. reading about all more about the app, how to download If you take one thing away from of the fantastic it and how to make a profile for your this edition of Dementia in Scotland, it activities and loved one on pages 4–5. is to ensure that you continue giving achievements. In 2013, Alzheimer Scotland formed us permission to contact you. The the Scottish Dementia Research laws surrounding data protection are Consortium, in the hope of encouraging changing, which means you must let Henry Simmons, collaborative research between the us know that you still want to hear Chief Executive most talented researchers in Scotland. from us. Without expressed permission, Alzheimer Scotland p24 p26–27 p29 Nobody should feel alone during We hear from Mandy Pool, Dementia The fantastic Kayla McGeorge the festive period. Our Helpline Advisor for Dumfries and Galloway, climbed Ben Nevis to raise money for is open 24/7. and the people who rely on her. Alzheimer Scotland. Purple Alert 4 Dementia in Scotland Purple Alert Assisting communities to find people with dementia By Nicola Cooper, Senior It turned out Hugh hadn’t gone How does Purple Alert work? Technology Coordinator far at first. He tells us: “I initially went into another shop but I wasn’t sure y find the app – search for ‘Purple Staying involved and independent if I’d missed Ann and she came out, Alert’ in Google Play or in the App within a community is very important didn’t see me and took the bus home. I Store on your smartphone or tablet for the wellbeing of people with decided to walk home because I didn’t y install the app – tap the ‘install’ dementia. However, this freedom have my bus pass or money on me.” button and the app will download. sometimes comes with risks. Bustling When they couldn’t find each other, Once complete, the Purple Alert icon high streets, shopping centres, parks both Ann and Hugh independently will appear on your home screen and street festivals can quickly become decided to return home. Thankfully, y create an account – read and agree to overwhelming for some people with they both made the same decision the terms and conditions of use. Enter dementia and they might want to get and were reunited after a very worrying your basic contact information and hit away from the high noise levels or couple of hours. However, the incident ‘sign up’. A confirmation email will be overcrowding. That’s why we launched left both Ann and Hugh shaken. Ann sent to the email address provided. the Purple Alert – a free app which explained: “Hugh was sick that whole Open this email and click the link to notifies members of the community night. He came down the stairs activate your account that a person with dementia has lost and said: ‘I should never have done y set up your profile – add some their way nearby. that, should I?’ and I said: ‘No, you profile information, including a We spoke to Ann and Hugh shouldn’t have.’” photo. Make sure your contact details from Pollok about their experience If they ever find themselves in similar are correct and up-to-date; these will of being separated in the busy circumstances again, Ann thinks that be essential for people getting in Silverburn shopping centre and how Purple Alert will reassure her that touch if they find the missing person the new Purple Alert app could have people are looking for Hugh and that y create a profile for the person with helped them. he will be found quickly. “It would have dementia – you will be prompted been terrific that day if we’d had Purple for information about the person Sitting side-by-side in their cosy living Alert because I wouldn’t have worried with dementia such as: a recent room, Hugh and Ann are a picture of as much. It’s a great thing – as long as photograph; physical description; happiness. Their 51-year-long marriage people sign up to it.” and examples of places of interest has been a close partnership – full of Ann is right. For Purple Alert to really to the person. You should fill this fun and family. Four years ago, Hugh make a difference, people need to information in as soon as possible was diagnosed with dementia but download the app. As more people sign so that the details can be called up they’re making sure it doesn’t stop them up, there will be more eyes and ears in the event that the person goes from getting on with life and doing the on the ground looking if someone with missing. You should also involve the things they enjoy. dementia goes missing. person with dementia throughout Hugh and Ann are an outgoing Karen Lau is another carer who the decision-making process. You pair who enjoy getting out and about. thinks Purple Alert will be a useful tool can find guidance on how to do this One day, they were visiting the local to help find people with dementia who at: www.dementiacircle.org/images/ shopping centre when they got are lost. Karen said: “When I was young PDFs/Purple_Alert_-guidelines_ separated. Ann explains: “We were in we lived in the tenements. You couldn’t for_consent.pdf Silverburn and Hugh for some reason go anywhere, or do anything without took the huff and said ‘Why am I in this someone knowing.