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Early Onset Dementia

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Dementia and its symptoms

Dementia’ is a term used to describe the symptoms that occur when the brain is affected by specific diseases and conditions.  It is an umbrella term used to describe the effects of closely linked diseases. These include Alzheimer’s disease and sometimes are the result of a stroke. Dementia is progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse. How fast dementia progresses will depend on the individual. Each person is unique and will experience dementia in their own way. There are approximately 750,000 people in the UK with dementia.

Symptoms and how we can help

Below are just some of the symptoms that our service will manage and seek to reduce where possible:

  • Loss of memory − this particularly affects short-term memory, for example forgetting what happened earlier in the day, not being able to recall conversations, being repetitive or forgetting the way home from the shops. Long-term memory is usually still quite good.

Stepping Out offers the client regular guidance, support and prompts; the semi-independent project will provide a 24 hour on site staff member whom is able to offer timely aid. In General the regular use of planning documents such as weekly activity plans, shopping lists, goal setting plans, timetables, visual image based tool etc. will aid the client remember important tasks. The plans can be posted around the client’s private living area in order to aid the client’s memory.

  • Communication -The person with dementia will experience increasing problems understanding what is being said to them and what is going on around them. They are likely to find it difficult to communicate with other people. They may gradually lose their speech.

Stepping Out ensure its staff members receive regular training on effective communication, where they are able to understand a client’s feelings via certain behaviour and or body language, eye contact and tone of voice. Our staff are trained to actively listen to clients whilst positioning themselves accordingly as to not cause any distress, tension or anxiety to the client. Visual tools and other interactive communication aids are to be used in order to ensure effective communication. Staff members must employ patience and always ensure they communicate with respect towards the client.

  • Challenging Behaviour – The person with dementia may display puzzling and or at times challenging behaviour this may be in the form of physical aggression or verbal abuse.

Our staff members receive regular training on managing challenging behaviour. Importantly a client with dementia may display challenging behaviour due to feeling distressed, anxious and or frustrated. At such times, staff members must provide proactive, dedicated 1-1 support and use communication methods best suited to the client in order to alleviate the client’s anxieties. Various rules and boundaries have been put in to place that clients must adhere to. Our Company operates a no physical contact/physical intervention policy. This means we will not physically restrain and or challenge a client. If the clients behaviour becomes aggressive and or unmanageable and once we have exhausted all means of calming and effectively communicating with the client, our staff members are instructed to contact the local police whom will work to stabilise the clients behaviour.  The client will be made aware of this and will be introduced to our project rules and the boundaries that must be adhered to on initial placement with of course regular reminders.

Stepping Out is a registered and regulated (CQC) independent social care provider delivering person centred care services to children, young people and adults meeting the range of low through to critical high support, high supervision needs.Stepping Out has built a great reputation for providing specialised up-to 24 hour semi-independent living options for adults and young people.

We provide Services to:

The type of clients we accommodate and support have varying needs to include:

  • Autistic Spectrum Disorders
  • Mental Health Issues
  • Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder
  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Challenging Behaviour
  • Moderate Learning Disabilities
  • Physical Disabilities
  • Schizophrenia
  • Sexually Harmful Behaviour
  • Sexualised Behaviour
  • Drug & alcohol abuse
  • Self-harm
  • Suicidal tendencies
  • Auditory Hallucinations
  • Command Hallucinations
  • Delusional Ideation
  • Early onset Demen
  • Dual Diagnosis
  • Dementia
  • Fabricated & Induced Illness

In order to make a referral and or to obtain further information about our company please contact us using the information provided below:

Stepping Out, 439 Green Lanes, London, N4 1HA

020 8342 7217

Info@stepping-out.org

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What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?

By admin_ka No CommentsPosted in ConditionsTags: , , , , , ,

Overview:

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a prolonged disturbance of personality function in a person. In general, it is characterized by mood variations, or extensive ‘mood swings’. The disorder typically involves unusual levels ‘Black & White thinking’, which is a situation in which only two (usually extreme) alternatives are considered, when in fact there are other logical options. BPD and its symptoms can undermine relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. A result of the disturbances can include self harm, and without treatment, extreme cases may also lead to suicide attempts.

The symptoms:

Borderline Personality Disorder is a the term used to describe a wide array of, usually very different, issues. Depending on which illness and which drug is being taken, the symptoms can vary. Different drugs will produce different symptoms just as different mental illnesses would.

Moving away from medical definitions, the term ‘complex needs’ is often used when people have complicated social and various lifestyle problems. To tackle these complex needs successfully, often requires a concentrated approach via dedicated support. Stepping Out can offer such services.

What causes Borderline Personality Disorder?

As with many other mental disorders, the causes of BPD are complex and not fully understood, as research is ongoing. One finding is a history of childhood trauma, abuse or neglect. Although some researchers have suggested other possible causes, such as a genetic predisposition, neurobiological factors, environmental factors, or brain abnormalities.

How Stepping Out can help:

Stepping Out are specialists when dealing with complex needs and challenging behaviour caused by BPD. Our staff are both experienced and qualified to handle such cases. Stepping Out can visit to provide support and general home care, as well as, in more extreme cases, provide their own 24-hour staffed housing accommodation, helping the sufferer maintain a more safe and healthy lifestyle.

Access to therapy and support groups is given and attendance encouraged. The ultimate goal would be to allow the sufferer to grow as an individual and become an independent person in society, living safely, hygienically and healthily. The housing units are primarily based in North London and Hertfordshire.

 

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What is Dual Diagnosis?

By admin_ka No CommentsPosted in ConditionsTags: , , , , ,

Overview:

Dual diagnosis is a term used to describe people with mental health issues, who also have substance abuse problems. The mental health may be a cause or a result of the drug usage. An example would be somebody with a psychotic illness who also uses cannabis or cocaine.

The symptoms:

Dual Diagnosis is simply the term used to describe a wide array of, usually very different, issues. Depending on which illness and which drug is being taken, the symptoms can vary. Different drugs will produce different symptoms just as different mental illnesses would.

What causes Dual Diagnosis?

 

As mentioned, the mental health issue may be the reason for the drug usage, or, the drug usage may result in the mental health issue. This is likely in cases of cocaine and amphetamine (speed) use, as their effects often cause psychotic illnesses, especially if used for a long period of time.

Cannabis, LSD, stimulants and ecstasy (MDMA) can all intensify a person’s mood when they take it. If they are already feeling low, paranoid or anxious, the drugs may make this worse, although this will depend on their environment and the quantity involved. But it’s also true that these drugs can lift someone’s mood. On balance, however, someone who has a mental health problem, will more likely be in a state where intensification would be unhelpful for them and those around them.

Is there a cure?

 

There is no standardised cure or treatment for dual diagnosis, simply because it ranges across such a large number of problems and involves both substance misuse services and mental health services. The term can refer to many different types of individual cases without similarities.

People with this combination of problems often have a lot of additional difficulties, which aren’t solely medical, psychological or psychiatric. They are more likely to come into contact with mental health services. Medically orientated services can’t always help with multiple non-medical problems like these, which often reflect the social stigma that people with dual diagnosis face. They are not only drug users, but also mentally ill; two of the most stigmatised groups in society.

In a move away from medical definitions, the term ‘complex needs’ is often used when people have these complicated social and lifestyle problems. To tackle these complex needs, successfully, often requires a more holistic, joined up approach, from several different directions at once.

How Stepping Out can help:

Stepping Out are specialists when dealing with complex needs and challenging behaviour causes by dual diagnosis. Our staff are both experienced and qualified to handle such cases. Stepping Out can visit to provide support and general home care, as well as, in more extreme cases, provide their own 24-hour staffed housing accommodation, helping the sufferer maintain a more safe and healthy lifestyle.
Access to therapy and support groups is given and attendance encouraged. The ultimate goal would be to allow the sufferer to grow as an individual and become an independent person in society, living safely, hygienically and healthily. The housing units are primarily based in north London and Hertfordshire.

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What is Dementia?

By admin_ka No CommentsPosted in ConditionsTags: , , , , ,

Overview:

‘Dementia’ is a term used to describe the symptoms that occur when the brain is affected by specific diseases and conditions.  It is an umbrella term used to describe the effects of closely linked diseases. These include Alzheimer’s disease and sometimes are the result of a stroke. Dementia is progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse. How fast dementia progresses will depend on the individual. Each person is unique and will experience dementia in their own way. There are about 750,000 people in the UK with dementia

The symptoms:

* Loss of memory – for example, forgetting the way home from the shops, or being
unable to remember names and places, or what happened earlier the same day.
* Mood changes – particularly as parts of the brain that control emotion are
affected by disease. People with dementia may also feel sad, frightened or angry
about what is happening to them.
* Communication problems – a decline in the ability to talk, read and write.

In the later stages of Dementia, sufferers may have difficulty carrying out everyday tasks, and will eventually need the assistance of another person in order to do even the smallest of tasks.

What causes Asperger’s syndrome?

Dementia can be caused by a number of diseases and conditions:

* Alzheimer’s disease – The most common cause of dementia. During the course of
the disease the chemistry and structure of the brain changes, leading to the death of
brain cells.
* Vascular disease – The brain relies on a network of vessels to bring it oxygen-
bearing blood. If the oxygen supply to the brain fails, brain cells are likely to die
and this can cause the symptoms of vascular dementia. These symptoms can occur
either suddenly, following a stroke, or over time through a series of small strokes
* Dementia with Lewy bodies – This form of dementia gets its name from tiny
spherical structures that develop inside nerve cells. Their presence in the brain
leads to the degeneration of brain tissue. Memory, concentration and language
skills are affected. This form of dementia shares some characteristics with
Parkinson’s disease.
* Fronto-temporal dementia (including Pick’s disease) – In fronto-temporal
dementia, damage is usually focused in the front part of the brain. At first,
personality and behaviour are more affected than memory.

All of the above conditions can be cased as a form of dementia. However, There are many other rarer diseases that can cause dementia. These include progressive supranuclear palsy, Korsakoff’s syndrome, Binswanger’s disease, HIV and AIDS, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Moreover, People with multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease may also be more likely to develop dementia as they get older.

Is there a cure?

 

There isn’t a cure for dementia. However, for some types of dementia there are medicines that can treat your symptoms and prevent them coming on as quickly. The treatment you’re offered will depend on which type of dementia you have.

Group and individual therapy is also recommended. these aim to stimulate the mind (this is sometimes referred to as cognitive stimulation therapy)

Reminiscence therapy may also help. Discussing past events in groups, usually using photos or familiar objects to jog the memory, although there are conflicting opinions on whether this is effective

How Stepping Out can help:

Stepping Out have the facilities and staff to care for anybody suffering with Dementia. Our staff are both experienced and qualified to handle such cases. Stepping Out are able to provide home care, helping with daily tasks which a Dementia sufferer may find difficult.
Or, in extreme cases where the sufferer needs full-time support and care, Stepping Out provide their own 24-hour staffed provisions.

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What is Cerebral Palsy?

By admin_ka No CommentsPosted in Conditions

Overview:

Cerebral palsy is not a disease or an illness. It is a disability caused by damage to the brain that can take place before, during, or in the early days after birth. There are many causes of cerebral palsy which include an infection while still in the womb, such as the pregnant mother contracting German measles, a difficult birth, a genetic disorder, a bleed in the baby’s brain, or the baby’s brain forms abnormally for no apparent reason.
Damage to the brain may not only affect the child physically, but may result in visual, perceptual, auditory and learning disabilities. Some children may also have seizures (epilepsy). The physical disability may affect the child’s interaction with and exploration of the world about him. It can also affect the child’s ability to learn and develop intellectually, although this can often be minimised if the appropriate management is given.

The symptoms:

Most children with cerebral palsy have either spasticity or athetosis or a combination of the two.

Children with spasticity (hypertonus) feel stiff and may have difficulty moving, although their muscles are not paralysed. Some movement is possible but the variety is limited. This limitation prevents the child from participating in many activities. It is often difficult or impossible for children to stop themselves from falling if they lose balance.

Children with athetosis move too much. They may have difficulty controlling their movements or maintaining their posture.

Cerebral palsy affects the messages sent between the brain and the muscles. It is often difficult for a doctor to predict accurately how a young child with cerebral palsy will be affected later in life. Cerebral palsy is not progressive – the condition itself does not become more severe as the child gets older, although some of the effects on the body may become more noticeable and function may deteriorate.

* Children with cerebral palsy may have problems with constipation, spasms or
sleeping. The doctor or health visitor should be able to offer advice about this.
* People with cerebral palsy may have problems with speech and associated
difficulties in chewing and swallowing. They may also have problems
understanding the spoken word. A speech and language therapist may be able to
offer advice.
* Some people with cerebral palsy may also have epilepsy. Often medication can
help to manage this.
* Some people with cerebral palsy may have difficulty distinguishing and
comparing shapes. This is to do with visual or spatial perception, which is about a
person’s ability to interpret what they have seen and not a problem with their
eyesight.
* People with cerebral palsy may also have some form of learning difficulties,
making them slow to learn. The difficulties can be mild, moderate or severe.
There may be a ‘specific learning difficulty’ or problems with a particular activity
such as reading, drawing or arithmetic because a specific area of the brain is
affected.
* It is important to remember that even someone severely physically affected by
cerebral palsy may have average or above average intelligence.

What causes Cerebral Palsy?

The main causes are as follows:

* Infection during pregnancy
* Starvation of Oxygen to the brain
* Premature or difficult birth
* A cerebral (brain) bleed during pregnancy or birth
* Abnormal brain development
* A genetic link (very rare)

Is there a cure?

Today, there is no cure for cerebral palsy. If children are positioned well from an early age and supported to move in a way that helps them to improve their posture, movement and muscle control, they can develop and achieve more independence for themselves as they grow. Physical therapy is also beneficial.

How Stepping Out can help:

Stepping Out have the facilities and staff to care for anybody suffering from Cerebral Palsy. Our staff are both experienced and qualified to handle such cases. Stepping Out are able to provide home care, visiting and helping with daily tasks which an Cerebral Palsy sufferer may find difficult.
Or, in extreme cases where the sufferer needs full-time support, Stepping Out provide their own 24-hour staffed housing accommodation, which are primarily based in north London and Hertfordshire.
Also, Stepping Out now have a mobility and disability aid store. Our specially chosen products will benefit anybody with Cerebral Palsy, physical and mental disabilities or mobility problems.

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