Make an enquiry

    Enquiry Form









    Contact

      Enquiry Form






      Supporting Document


      We are welcoming clients back to our offices Find Out More
      FJG Solicitors in Essex, Colchester, Chelmsford, London – Fisher Jones Greenwood
      • 0845 543 5700
      • [email protected]
      • Make an enquiry
      • Online Payment
      • Home
      • Services
        • Services for you
          • Advocacy
          • Civil & Commercial Disputes
          • Clinical and Medical Negligence
          • Conveyancing
          • Employment Law
          • Family Law
          • Children Law
          • Immigration & Visas
          • Notary Services
          • Personal Injury
          • Wills, Life Planning & Probate
        • Services for business
          • Academies Portal
          • Agricultural and Rural
          • Business Immigration
          • Commercial Dispute Resolution
          • Commercial Litigation
          • Professional Negligence
          • Commercial Property
          • Construction Law
          • Planning Consultancy
          • Corporate and Commercial
          • Education Services
          • Employment Law
          • Healthcare Services
          • International Services
          • Landlord & Tenant Services
        • Services by sector
          • Agriculture & Estates
          • Care Homes
          • Charities & Social Enterprise
          • Construction
          • Education Law
          • Energy
          • Family Owned Business
          • Healthcare & Dentistry
      • Our people
      • About us
        • CSR
        • Awards
        • Our Vision
        • Accessibility
        • Careers
        • Work Experience
        • Equality & Diversity
        • FLOCC
        • FJG Foundation
        • SAFE Forum
      • News, Events & Insights
      • Blog
      • Podcasts
      • Contact us
        • Colchester
        • Chelmsford
        • Clacton-on-Sea
        • Billericay
        • Braintree
        • Frinton-on-Sea
        • Holland-on-Sea
        • London

      Dementia – How Much Do You Know?

      7 September 2015 by

      dementia friends
      dementia friends

      One in six people in the UK have been diagnosed with some form of dementia, so it is not surprising that almost all of us will have a connection with the disease – whether it is somebody within your family group, your friendship circle, your community or through your profession.

      It is thought that by 2025, there will be 1 million people living with dementia.

      So what actually is dementia?

      The word dementia is an umbrella term for multiple types of the disease and includes the group of symptoms. The most common types of dementia are vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but there also lesser known types such as frontotemporal dementia and Lewy bodies.

      Dementia only occurs when the brain is affected by a disease. There are thought to be over 100 known causes of dementia, but most relate to changes in the structure and chemistry of the brain, which leads to the damage and, eventually, the death of brain cells.

      There are multiple symptoms and it is quite possible that someone with the disease may not even realise they are affected. Statistics also indicate that there are a large number of people with dementia who have had no formal diagnosis.

      Whilst most of us would be aware of the obvious symptom of memory loss, there are other indicators which we should all be aware of. Sometimes a simple task such as making a cup of tea can be extremely difficult for someone with dementia, as they can find it difficult to work out the order of the steps in the process. So it might be that the kettle is boiled, the sugar is put in the cup, but the tea bag is forgotten. Or the water is poured in, but the tea bag is forgotten. Something very simple that they have done thousands of times during their life can suddenly seem like a monumental task.

      Difficulty with perception and judging distances are also issues that someone with dementia can struggle with. When you walk into a supermarket, most of us will pay little attention to the black or dark foot mats that cover the front entrance. However, to someone with dementia, this large dark area can appear to be a vast bottom-less pit – their brains cannot perceive the difference in the flooring. So if you see someone hesitantly checking out with one foot that the mat isn’t a hole, this may explain why. It is also the reason that many retailers are making an effort to turn their stores into ‘dementia-friendly’ environments.

      Unfortunately the only guarantee for someone with dementia is that the symptoms and effects will worsen over time; dementia is a generally progressive disease.

      Whilst the research is on-going, there is no known cure for dementia. The importance, historically, has therefore been on ways to help treat the symptoms of dementia to ensure that the individual concerned can live comfortably and continue in their day-to-day lives the best they can.

      The lack of a cure also highlights the importance of being ‘dementia aware’. You may have seen in the media that various towns and communities are campaigning to make their area dementia friendly, something that the Alzheimer’s Society strongly supports. By last year the Alzheimer’s Society had received commitment from 63 communities to be become dementia friendly, which far exceeded David Cameron’s aim of 20 communities by this year.

      All of the solicitors in the Private Client team at Fisher Jones Greenwood have also undertaken training to become dementia friendly, which is something that we are proud to be a part of and to support.

      We often encounter clients or family members of clients, who have just received an early diagnosis of dementia. We understand that it can be a very worrying time for not just our clients, but also their family.

      Even if a client has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, it can still be possible to prepare Lasting Powers of Attorney and it is often their GP or medical practitioner who has encouraged the preparation of the documents.

      It is also important that the client’s Will is up to date, as unfortunately this is not something that can be changed once the symptoms of dementia have worsened.

      For more information on dementia, including the cause of, the different type, treatment, planning ahead, support and research, please visit the Alzheimer’s Society website by clicking here.

      Authors
      Archives
      Subscribe to RSS feed

      Recent Posts

      • Who you gonna call?
      • Worth the wait
      • What is a section 37 report?
      @FJGSolicitors

      We've had a 5* review from Beau: Excellent communication for a swift Property sale and purchase https://t.co/lVm29tQYYK

      8 hours

      RT @StHelenaHospice: A big thank you to our Wills Month solicitors 😍 @birkettlong @JohnFowlersLLP @FJGSolicitors Also thank you to everyo…

      23 hours

      We've had a 5* review from Stephen: Excellent Sevice https://t.co/q9w1oBRu4H

      1 day
      Billericay 01277 623132
      Braintree 01376 552828
      Chelmsford 01245 890110
      Colchester 01206 835300
      Clacton 01255 323103
      Frinton 01255 514100
      Holland-on-Sea 01255 818900
      London 08455 435700
      Sudbury 01787 373387
      • Disclaimer
      • Accessibility
      • Terms & Conditions
      • Privacy Policy
      • Cookies
      • Price & Service
      • Signup to our Newsletter
      • COVID-19 Risk Assessment

      Fisher Jones Greenwood is the trading name of Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP, a Limited Liability Partnership authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and registered in England ( Number: OC305854 ). A list of members is available for inspection at the registered office at Charter Court, Newcomen Way, Colchester Business Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 9YA

      This website uses cookies & data collection

      Our website uses cookies, which are small text files that are placed on your computer by websites that you visit to distinguish you from other users. They are widely used in order to help website owners like us provide you with the best user experience possible. They also provide us with information that can help us improve our websites and marketing activities. By clicking an item or link on this website, you agree to the use of cookies and other data collection.

      Find out more

      We are welcoming clients back to our offices

      Differing tiers and three lockdowns later, Fisher Jones Greenwood Solicitors are now pleased to be able to welcome clients safely back to our offices.

      Remote working and the digitalisation of the way we work, have been key to keeping FJG and the rest of the country going.

      • We are now able to offer, pre-booked face-to-face appointments. Although, we are still able to offer remote appointments if preferred.
      • You can continue to visit our offices at any time to post any correspondence and documents through letterboxes.

      If you are visiting an FJG office, covid-19 safety rules of social distancing, hand sanitization, and the wearing of masks will still apply.

      • Please be aware you will also need to have your temperature taken on arrival.
      • There will also be protective screens in place to protect you and our staff.

      Please do not hesitate to contact your legal adviser by email or by telephone should you have any worries or concerns. Alternatively, please call our main switchboard number (01206 835300), and a message to return your call will be relayed to the relevant person.

      Best wishes
      Paula Cameron
      Managing Partner