” One day, a cure for Dementia will come, and when that day arrives, Dementia itself will become just a mere memory itself, How ironic is that?” – Norman McNamara

CareMax are working in partnership with The Purple Angel. CareMax became involved when their business manager Beverley Hickey (a purple angel ambassador) told them of the Purple Angel Campaign. After speaking to Norman McNamara, Bobby Dhami the director was so impressed with the passion that everyone was showing, he wanted to support the campaign and the purple angel have requested CareMax to have the worlds very first Purple Angel Care Team, to work in the community and care home environments. All of our staff team are “Purple Angel Advocates” helping to create a better world for those with dementia and their families.

Here at CareMax we understand how this condition affects the individual, their family, and those around them and are honoured to be able to become involved and supporting Norm and Jane in their campaign.

We are very proud of what Jane and Norm have achieved. Norm has been short-listed in the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ category of the Herald Express Pride of South Devon Awards 2014, and has also been nominated for the National Dementia Care Awards 2014.

How The Purple Angel started

The Purple Angel campaign began in Devon, UK over 2 years ago, when Norman McNamara (diagnosed with dementia at 50 years of age) launched the Torbay Dementia Action Alliance; www.tdaa.co.uk

The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness, give hope to and empower people with dementia by giving out information on how shops, business and other services can support people who have these progressive diseases – both elderly and younger onset.

The symbol was designed by Jane Moore, a carer from Cornwall and is becoming known as a global emblem which can be used by anyone who is voluntary raising awareness of dementia. The symbol was named after Norms wife Elaine who he calls his “angel”

Purple Angel Ambassadors from all walks of life are at work in many UK towns and overseas, creating dementia friendly communities.

Norman and Jane continue to “fly” the angel to all who need comfort, raising awareness and supporting those who feel isolated. All over the world people have decided to adopt the purple angel emblem taking to the angel as their guardian, giving support and hope.

With the help of Professor Sue McFadden of Wisconsin setting up memory cafes and dementia friendly communities, with Lori la Bey of Alzheimer’s Speaks, Harry Urban of Forget Me Not support groups, The Michael Ellenbogen Movement and countless others, the angel is spreading its wings across the USA. A big step forward is the hospital wristband project in Florida set up with tireless campaigning from Gary LeBlanc, which is now spreading to other hospitals in the US and Britain. 230 Purple Angel Ambassadors have now joined us from all over the world and all they do is much appreciated.

Canada asked to use it; Germany; Italy; Australia; New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Singapore; Nepal, Indonesia; India, Romania, France and many others. This purple angel emblem is now displayed in many shops and businesses not just here in Cornwall and in Devon but all over the UK – and the world. www.purpleangel-global.com

This is a free angel and can be used for raising awareness of all dementia across the globe. This little purple angel has been adopted by many people as a;

Symbol of Hope!

Dementia Action Alliance Values and Standards
We believe that people with dementia have the right to a good quality of life and to remain in their community.
We believe that people with dementia have the right to live well, engage in and contribute to their local communities as long as they wish to do so.
We will address negative issues and raise awareness and understanding of dementia

Thanks to our partner Caron Sprake Virgin Atlantic are working with the Purple Angel Association to give employees a greater understanding about dementia and how best help any passengers with the condition. Specially made videos and fact sheets are being designed and will shortly be available to staff members via their intranet and in training sessions.
Virgin Atlantic staff will soon have access to a free e-book written especially for them by the Caron Cares dementia specialist Mr Paul ™ Smith.

We are delighted to announce that our partner Caron Sprake has been nominated for the Older People Media Awards 2014. A recognition for all of her hard work supporting the elderly. For more information visit www.caroncares.co.uk

11 community and one acute hospital in Devon have now trained all of their staff in the RCN SPACE principles for dementia care, and now display the Purple Angel at their entrance. The acute hospitals are also working towards training all of their staff in the principles of dementia awareness.

THE SEVEN STAGES OF ALZHEIMER’S

Stage 1 – NO SYMPTOMS OF ALZHEIMER’S ARE SEEN.

Stage 2 – FORGETFULNESS: Very mild cognitive decline. For example, problems such as: vagueness of where familiar objects are, complaints about not remembering well, forgetting names once well known. There is however, no loss of abilities in social interactions or in employment situations.

Stage 3 – CONFUSION EARLY STAGE: Mild cognitive decline. For example, problems such as: getting lost when travelling to a familiar location; noticeably lowered performance level at work; trouble finding words and names; little retention from reading; little or no ability to remember names of new people; loss of valued objects and trouble concentrating.

Stage 4 – CONFUSION LATE STAGE: Moderate cognitive decline. For example, problems such as: decreased knowledge of current and recent events; loss in memory of personal history; decreased ability to handle travel or finances; and inability to perform complex tasks. Appropriate responsiveness to outside stimulation decreases sharply. Denial of any problem, and withdrawal from challenging situations are common.

Stage 5 – DEMENTIA EARLY STAGE: Moderate severe decline. For example: the person can no longer survive without some assistance. Patients can’t remember names of people or places in their lives. They may be disoriented about time and dates. However, they will require no assistance when using the bathroom or eating, but may need help getting dressed.

Stage 6 – DEMENTIA MIDDLE STAGE: Severe cognitive decline. For example: the person may forget the name of the spouse and be unaware of events in his or her life. They are entirely dependent on others for survival. They may have trouble sleeping in a regular pattern.

Stage 7 – DEMENTIA LATE STAGE: Very severe cognitive decline. For example: all verbal abilities are lost and he or she needs help eating and using the bathroom. Eventually they lose ability to walk, the brain appears to no longer be able to tell the body what to do.

To date The Purple Angel campaign have now reached 972 Business`s in their Quest to reach 1,000 Business`s who are Dementia aware in Torbay/Teignmouth before Christmas. It won’t be long before they reach out Total and BEYOND!!! This is the BIGGEST Dementia friendly community in the WORLD!!! And does not count the 1000s of Business that have signed up to the Purple Angel dementia awareness campaign, not only all over the UK but across the world!!! To find out how and become a Purple Angel Dementia Ambassador, please e mail; norrms@gmail.com or visit www.purpleangel-global.com