The Marbrook Dementia Care Home

Alzheimer’s is the most common type of Dementia in the UK, with around 500,000 people today living with the condition. ‘Dementia’ describes the loss of mental ability due to the gradual death of the brain cells. Although the exact cause is still not known, your risk of developing Alzhiemer’s increases with age, a family history of the condition and heart disease. Minor memory problems are usually the first sign of Alzheimer’s Disease, but as the condition progresses, more severe memory problems develop as well as symptoms such as:

Confusion and disorientation
Personality changes – becoming more demanding, suspicious or aggressive
Communication problems
Hallucinations and delusions (seeing things not there and believing things that are not true)
Although there is no current cure for Alzhiemer’s, new medication is coming to the market slowing down the development of the condition.

Marbrook is where feelings matter most. When someone has Dementia they may lose a sense of what is going on around them, which can lead to more confusion and fear. Taking time to get to know people and find ways of helping them feel safe and to enjoy their selves goes a long way to reducing anxiety. We want to see people in Marbrook enjoying themselves, both staff and residents. There will be lots to do, including spending time in the café, out and about in town or further afield. Relatives are a key part of the team and are not only welcome, but encouraged to take part in their loved one’s life in Marbrook.

People living with Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) not only experience symptoms with their memory and judgement, but also likely to have difficulties recognising objects and judgements to where they are in space (visual perception). They may also experience:

Tremors, stiff limbs and slowed movement
Hallucinations
Problems sleeping
Fainting and unsteadiness
People with this condition can change unpredictably from states or alertness to drowsiness or staring into space from one hour to another.

It is not currently clear why the Lewy Bodies protein inside brain cells builds up deposits or exactly how they damage the brain, but these deposits are also found in people living with Parkinson’s Disease. 100,000 people in the UK are estimated to live with Dementia with Lewy bodies.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies can be hard to live with, for the person with the disease and their family. Many people with DLB feel afraid when they experience hallucinations and have an unusual rhthym to their day. What we can do is support the individual by understanding how it feels for them and by taking the time to learn what interest they have and bring them alive again. This could be an interest in cars, baking, cinema, dancing or any number of other activities. Spending time to reassure and step inside their shoes means we can make a difference and support people to continue being ‘who they are’.

Early Onset Dementia and Young People with Dementia are common terms to describe anyone under the age of 65 diagnosed as living with a Dementia. Although the symptoms of Dementia are similar regardless of age, younger people will have different needs and require different support.

Around 40,000 people under 65 live with dementia in the UK.

Having Dementia at any age is challenging, but for younger people the issues can be greater. We provide a professional and engaging environment which really considers your personal needs and wishes while paying great attention to your feelings and supporting your family. The Marbrook Centre is situated close to the town with the amenities that offers. While there is a lot going on in Marbrook, we encourage residents to take part in the local community and to maintain existing or previous interests. Physical well being is really important, so having a gym on site provides further opportunities to maintain physical wellbeing. Psychologists, doctors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurses, speech and language therapists, cooks, housekeepers and care workers add to the team to ensure you have the support necessary to lead your life in your way.

Originally known as Pick’s Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia (FDT) describes the clinical syndrome associated with the shrinking of both the Frontal and Temporal Anterior lobes of the brain. Today’s classification of the condition groups Pick’s Disease, Primary Progressive Aphasia and Semantic Dementia as FTD. The symptoms of FTD fall into two clinical groups;

Behavioural changes – an individual can be either disinhibited (impulsive) or apathetic (bored and listless). This can display itself in multiple complex ways from inappropriate social behaviour, lack of tact and empathy, increased interest in sex, to blunted emotions, neglect of personal hygiene, repetitive behaviour and lacking in energy and motivation.
Language problems – including making or understanding speech (often in conjunction with behavioural changes.
FTD can often run in families as there is a strong genetic component to the condition.

Understanding the impact of Frontotemporal Dementia on someone’s life and that of their family is the first step to providing the support needed to enable people to live their way while being safe and maintaining their dignity and choice. We understand that people with FTD may need help to communicate their needs and feelings. Our speech and language therapists will assess and guide us on any additional aids or techniques to help with communication. Our staff receive training to develop their understanding, not just how to be with someone, but why. Having things you want to do either in the centre or the community is important. We will find out what is meaningful to you to make sure your life continues in the way you choose for as long as possible.

A chronic memory disorder caused by a severe deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B-1) and is most commonly caused by alcohol misuse. Korsakoff syndrome causes problems learning new information, an inability to remember recent events and long term memory gaps. These memory problems can be severe, yet individuals living with Korsakoff Syndrome can carry out a coherent conversation, yet moments later not recall it or the person it was shared with. Those living with the condition may also make up information they cannot remember (confabulation). This is not lying, as they may believe their made up explanation. There are few current long term studies of individuals living with Korsakoff Syndrome, but data suggests that around 25% will eventually recover, around 50% improve without recovering completely and 25% will remain unchanged.

Living with Korsakoff Syndrome brings a number of challenges. It is often the case that people with the condition have experienced a number of losses and difficulties with relationships as a result of their alcohol misuse. Having little or no recollection of their earlier life and living in a reality that differs from those around them often challenges family members. At Marbrook we understand these challenges and work to support families to establish, renew and maintain relationships. Engaging the individual in activities and providing the nutrition required to optimise their physical and mental well being will help the individual live their life in a safe and supportive way which is meaningful and sociable, supporting as much choice as possible.

Around 1 in 500 people live with Parkinson’s Disease in the UK, meaning 127,000 individuals will be living with it today. Although most people start to develop symptoms when they are over 50, 1 in 20 experiences their first symptoms under 40.

Parkinson’s Disease is caused by a loss of brain cells in the Substantia Nigra part of the brain, leading to a loss of the chemical Dopamine in the brain. An exact cause for the loss of these brain cells is currently not known, but most experts believe it’s a mixture of genetic and environmental reasons.

The main symptoms of Parkinson’s are tremor, slowness of movement and rigidity, but the way these symptoms appear and their order, is different to every person.

Parkinson’s can impact on mobility, communication, activities and relationships. At Marbrook we can help you achieve your goals and live the life you want with the support you need. The Marbrook multi-disciplinary team is professional, compassionate and enthusiastic. We have a well-equipped gym, domestic style rehabilitation kitchens, coffee lounge, cinema and outside space all aimed to support your rehabilitation, doing things you want to and spending time with your family and friends.

Please see Frontotemporal Dementia.

Please see Early Onset Dementia