Festive help for carers of people with dementia

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To: News/Health/Community Editors

Alzheimer Scotland had launched a new information sheet aimed to help carers of people with dementia cope over the Christmas period.

Celebrating the festive period with someone who has dementia provides practical and emotional advice for carers whether they are caring at home, preparing for a visit from a person with dementia or caring for someone who now lives in a care home.

Alzheimer Scotland’s Information Manager Maureen Thom says, “The festive season is something that most of us look forward to but it can also be a stressful time. For people with dementia and their carers there is the additional challenge of coping with the disruption of established routines, of dealing with unfamiliar environments and managing without the full compliment of support services. This information sheet will help carers plan around these disruptions and minimise the extra physical and emotional pressure placed on them at this time of year.”

To receive a free copy of Celebrating the festive period with someone who has dementia, contact Alzheimer Scotland’s 24 hour freephone helpline on 0808 808 3000 or visit www.alzscot.org

Please give our Freephone 24hr Dementia Helpline telephone number: 0808 808 3000 and our website address: www.alzscot.org at the end of articles.

Contact details:
Sarah Bromley, Awareness Manager, tel 0131 243 1453, mob 07904 624 696, sbromley@alzscot.org
Maureen Thom, Information Manager, tel 0131 243 1453, mthom@alzscot.org

Notes for Editor:
Dementia affects approximately 64,000 people in Scotland.
Alzheimer’s disease is the main form of dementia. The second most common is vascular dementia. As yet there is no cure.

Alzheimer Scotland is Scotland’s foremost voluntary organisation working for people with dementia and their carers. It:

• speaks out for the rights and concerns of people with dementia and their carers;
• operates services on over 60 sites throughout Scotland providing practical services such as day, evening and weekend centres, home care and befriending and carers' support services;
• provides the 24 hour national freephone Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000);
• provides the website www.alzscot.org;
• supports a network of over 40 carers' support groups;
• provides information to carers, professionals and people with dementia;
• publishes leaflets, booklets, reports and a quarterly newsletter keeping carers and professionals up-to-date
• has a research programme.