BBC Information NI Mid Ulster Reporter
BBCDementia was not one thing Peter Alexander anticipated to be identified with in his late 40s.
It meant leaving his job and adapting to a brand new lifestyle.
Now, aged 56, Peter is captivated with addressing the stigma across the situation usually related to aged folks.
“I won’t all the time be capable of specific it in the identical approach, however I am nonetheless the identical particular person I used to be, inside I am nonetheless Peter,” he instructed BBC Information NI.
Peter was 49 when he made an appointment with a neurologist and was despatched for a scan.
“I used to be beginning to battle to fulfill deadlines (at work), which had by no means been an issue earlier than, and through conferences, I would not be capable of consider a phrase when talking,” mentioned Peter, who’s initially from England however has lived in Northern Eire along with his spouse, Jill, for a number of years.
“I bear in mind the date very clearly, it was 14 January 2018 when the outcomes got here again and the physician mentioned: ‘Peter, I’ve identified you with having Frontotemporal dementia’.
“I used to be mainly instructed that it was not secure for me to work as a result of I’ve diminished judgment and I used to be shedding my filter, so it was lots to adapt to.”
‘It could manifest in numerous methods’
Frontotemporal dementia is an unusual kind of dementia that causes issues with behaviour and language.
“Folks suppose when you will have dementia it is solely about forgetting issues but it surely’s extra complicated, it will probably manifest in numerous methods.
“I do not wish to be handled otherwise, it is crucial that folks really see the particular person, see past the situation.
“Sadly for many individuals, the prognosis can take an terrible very long time and that places an infinite quantity of strain on the household unit.”
What’s dementia?
Dementia is a syndrome (a gaggle of associated signs) related to an ongoing decline of mind functioning.
Reminiscence loss is likely one of the commonest signs, significantly the battle to recollect current occasions.
Others can embody adjustments to behavior, temper and persona, changing into misplaced in acquainted locations, or being unable to search out the best phrase in a dialog.
It could attain the purpose the place folks do not know when they should eat or drink.
Greater than 22,000 individuals are dwelling with dementia in Northern Eire, in accordance with the Alzheimer’s Society.
The variety of folks dwelling with dementia in Northern Eire is predicted to virtually triple by 2051 to 60,000. The Southern Belief is predicted to have the very best variety of folks dwelling with the situation by 2032.
Whereas dementia is usually seen as a illness of outdated age, about 5% of individuals with dementia are classed as having young-onset dementia.
Folks whose signs began after they had been below the age of 65 are sometimes often called having young-onset dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Society estimates that there are greater than 70,000 folks within the UK dwelling with young-onset dementia.
In current months, Peter has teamed up with different folks in Northern Eire dwelling with dementia to make a movie about their expertise of on a regular basis life.
The documentary referred to as Hear Our Voice primarily focuses on folks with young-onset dementia.
It presents a glimpse of what dwelling with dementia is like, within the hope that it’ll create higher understanding and empathy.
Peter options all through the movie and narrates it.
“Respect was granted to individuals who have dementia to make and take management of the movie to assist us get throughout the distinctive challenges we have now,” he mentioned.
The movie options members of Dementia NI.
The group was arrange in 2015 by 5 folks dwelling with dementia, however 10 years on they now have 15 teams throughout Northern Eire.
The teams labored alongside the Southern and South Japanese well being trusts when making the Hear Our Voice mission.
Dr Christopher Southwell, a advisor in Outdated Age Psychiatry within the Southern Belief, believes the movie promotes a strong message.
“Dementia is a situation that has a huge impact on sufferers and their households and generally as healthcare professionals we acknowledge that there are issues that may be completed higher,” he mentioned.
“After I bought concerned and ultimately watched the movie, it was vital for me to have the ability to say to folks like Peter and others behind the movie that I do hear your voice and tackle board what you are saying.”
Members of Dementia NI lately met Well being Minister Mike Nesbitt at Stormont.
They referred to as on him to make decreasing the time it takes to get a dementia prognosis a precedence.
Shortly after the movie was launched, in a press release, the well being minister mentioned: “I congratulate the trusts and Dementia NI for creating this highly effective documentary which I’ve little doubt will problem present stereotypes and will probably be an informative technique to educate folks in how finest to help people dwelling with dementia.”
‘Dementia does not outline us’
Karen Kerr is head of engagement at Dementia NI.
She mentioned: “The members are actually passionate in regards to the significance of getting an early prognosis and when you get an early prognosis it opens up numerous alternatives in an effort to proceed to dwell properly with a way of goal and that is additionally what the movie is attempting to spotlight.
“Once you hear from folks like Peter, I feel it demonstrates that folks with dementia have a voice not only for themselves however for everybody affected with dementia.”
Peter added: “In relation to folks like me with dementia, please do not write us off, we have now a voice, dementia does not outline us.”