Carer support
Caring for someone with dementia can be intensive, challenging and stressful, but with the right support, you can ensure you maintain a strong bond with the person you care for and enjoy the familiar activities, memories and social life that you experience together.
Looking after yourself
Carers can face very different challenges as the dementia progresses. Adjusting to the diagnosis and coping with the changes that dementia will bring can cause stress. One of the key things we hear time and time again from carers is that information and preparation helps a great deal.
Alzheimer Scotland’s 24 hour Freephone Dementia Helpline is here for you night and day, 365 days a year. Our warm, friendly and highly skilled Helpline volunteers are here to offer you a listening ear and emotional support, no matter what time of day you call. They can also signpost you to some other key supports we offer here at Alzheimer Scotland, including:
• our Dementia Advisors
• local carers groups based in our Centres across Scotland
• external supports and services
Did you also know that every person diagnosed with dementia in entitled to a year of post diagnostic support. This support helps the person with dementia understand the illness and manage symptoms, stay connected, meet other people with dementia, and help with future planning and decision making.
“It’s very hard to accept advice about how to look after myself – even though I know it’s important, it’s often impossible to see a way to make any changes.”
Getting help with caring for someone with dementia
It’s important to look after yourself, as well as the person you are caring for. Our booklet ‘Coping with dementia’ provides information and advice for people who care for someone in the middle to late stages of dementia.
The booklet aims to:
• help you feel less alone
• give you practical advice on coping
• help you to find caring more rewarding and less stressful
• show you where to go for help and for more information
You can download a PDF copy of the booklet below. For external organisations who wish to order bulk printed copies, please contact info@alzscot.org for print and postage costs (minimum order of 100 copies).
For Carers, by Carers
For Carers, by Carers is a set of eight booklets produced by the National Dementia Carers Action Network (NDCAN) and written by carers to help support other carers. Click the links below to download them:
► Going for a diagnosis
► Helping someone with dementia to live well
► Working with professionals and services
► Going into hospital
► Moving into a care home
► Looking after yourself
► When problems arise
► Grief and loss
Sharing your experience
All of our information and advice for carers has been shaped and informed by people with personal experience of caring for someone with dementia.
If you would like to share your own experience, then we’d love to hear from you.
The National Dementia Carers Action Network
Alzheimer Scotland’s National Dementia Carers Action Network (NDCAN) is a national campaigning and awareness raising group for carers (and former carers) of people with dementia who are living in Scotland.
Brain Health & Dementia Resource Centres
Alzheimer Scotland’s Brain Health & Dementia Resource Centres offer friendly, accessible environments for everyone to enjoy. Our Centres are designed to be dementia friendly and create a sense of homeliness which we know is important in helping everyone to feel at ease. Each Centre is also a base for our wide range of local groups and activities.