The last 5 miles - Dementia UK challenge. Memory Loss. Prevention Focus.
The last 5 miles happened by chance. I was visiting my family for a few days in a place where I grew up.
It was a different country from the one I started the walking challenge in. Different scenery, different culture, and I took a different approach to the walking challenge. I was short on time, hence I decided on a combination of a walk and a run, instead of only walking.
Although the environment has changed. The overall problem remains. Regardless of the country. In 2026, there is still no cure for Dementia. There is no cure for this disease in any country in the world.
As I was completing the last few miles, I was listening to music which again ended up being a combination of different styles and languages. The languages which I was familiar with due to being lucky to grow up and later continued living in a multi-cultural environments. The environments where life-long learning and exposure to various cultures was a way of life. Or, more precisely, I have created my own way of life where there is a mix of varied things that make up that environment. And, whilst we often do have an option to remain focused on one culture, one language, one type of job, one set of friends, one way of life - this has rarely been my option.
When I was running and walking through beautiful country roads, I realised that I got lost. I forgot the way. I got lost in a place I am meant to know well. I could hardly recognise it. At some point there were crossroads. I chose to turn left, and I found my way home, eventually. Whatever a home means nowadays for a lifelong traveller with a multi-cultural roots and identity.
Later, I was reflecting on forgetting the way. I started empathising with how it feels to start losing memory. In my case it was not unusual to not be able to recognise the place because it changed, it was no longer the same as I knew it before many years ago. However, for people who live with dementia, a memory loss, is one of the things that they might experience as part of their daily life. Alzheimer's society covers a lot of information on this topic in their article about Memory Loss and Dementia.
Whilst there is still no cure for the condition that is affecting so many people and can affect anyone in the future, and whilst the work for a cure is under way, the current recommendation is on prevention. Over the last few years, I have been researching a number of articles and scientific papers, attended a few subject-matter events, and have observed that many point out that, at the moment, there a number of prevention activities that could potentially support with reducing the risks of dementia. The NHS article, which at the time of writing this post, is due for review later this month, points out that based on the research 4 out 10 cases of dementia could be prevented by modifying a number of risk factors.
Donate to help families living with Dementia
THE GALLERY
