Looking after someone with dementia
Dementia is a syndrome associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia in the UK. It can affect memory, thinking skills and other mental abilities.
When caring for someone with dementia it is important to keep your own needs in mind and keep yourself safe. Dementia can affect a person’s ability to manage their emotions and actions. At times of intense distress, they may become verbally or physically aggressive, putting them and those around them at risk of harm. Dementia UK have useful information on how to keep yourself safe – dementiauk.org/get-support/living-with-dementia/keeping-safe-when-you-care-for-someone-with-dementia
National Support
Alzheimer’s Society (https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/help-dementia-care)
For information around understanding and supporting someone suffering from dementia visit Alzheimer’s Society. Their website also has information around finding the right kind of respite care, considering a care home and end of life care.
They also operate the National Dementia Helpline: 0300 222 1122
Dementia Carers (https://dementiacarers.org.uk/)
Dementia Carers provide free courses designed and delivered by healthcare professionals, that will help you to develop skills and build confidence to navigate the highs and lows. They can also give you the opportunity to meet and connect with people in a similar situation, and they are here to listen too.
Local support
Alzheimer’s Support (https://www.alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk/)
01225 776481
Alzheimer’s Support is an award-winning local charity which exists to improve quality of life of families affected by dementia in Wiltshire.
Their Dementia Roadmap is an online resource to guide people through the process of being diagnosed with dementia in Wiltshire. You can find it here – https://www.dementiaroadmap.org/.
Alzheimer’s Support also run regular carer’s support groups. More information is available here – http://www.alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk/carers-groups.
The charity also runs an excellent 6 week training course led by experts and aimed at new carers. The course covers:
- What is dementia?
- Ideas for managing problems at home
- Safer moving and assisting
- Staying healthy – how carers can take care of themselves
- Care at home and evaluating home care
- Financial & legal aspects of caring
The course runs at various times throughout the year. There is also a separate Later Stages course for those caring for someone in the more advanced stages of dementia. Find out more here – https://www.alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk/online-training-course-for-family-carers
