An Army of unsung Heroes
Support as a Carer
Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging and emotional. Unpaid carers – who are usually friends or family members – provide over 1.1billion hours of free care per year. It goes without saying that self-care and supporting yourself will help you to better deliver care to your loved one but also ensure your own mental and physical health is looked after. Below is some useful information and resources to help.
Experiences
Positive Experiences
Caring for someone can be a very positive experience. It can give you a sense of pride or the ability to return the favour to someone who has helped you. You will also learn or strengthen skills, such as communication with a person with dementia and the unique perspectives that brings. Also conversations with medical staff or care professionals and organisation and planning and how to support mental and physical health.
Be Kind
Self-Care
Your own mental and physical well being can be impacted by caring for someone with dementia, particularly as the condition may last several years and get worse over time.
You should ensure – where you can – that you also have your own support structure(s) to help when needed. Every experience is unique, so don’t compare yourself to others – we are all different and all cope with things in our own way. Be kind to yourself and take pride in the fact you are able to help someone who needs it.
For You
Family and Friends
Caring for someone with dementia can seem all consuming and it is hard to make time for yourself. Its important that you use your own support structures such as friends and family, either to help with care or to give you an avenue for personal support through supporting you or talking/listening.
Its ok to ask for help and support and even small requests can help – such as asking someone to sit with your loved one for an hour, or help with meals or even help you with shopping or other tasks.
Formal Suport
Getting the Support You Need
There are many ways you can access care and support to help you care for someone with dementia. Pleas click the links below for further information:
NHS
Alzheimer’s UK
Action for Carers
Gov.UK
Age UK
Dementia UK
1.1 billion hours
The amount of hours of support informal carers provide each year.
700,000
The estimated number of informal cares in the UK.
66%
The amount of carers who say they desperately need more support.
54
The average age of informal carers.
Lets Support Each Other
Use the button below to go to our forum and read stories, tips and experiences of people who are on a similar journey.