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The text on this page is taken from the booklet "Caring for Dementia - Dementia Carers' Pathways Devon". We recommend obtaining a copy from the Memory Café in Torrington.
Carer Support
Most carers are on a similar pathway. The support of other carers is very comforting as they know and understand how you are feeling, and the emotions you are experiencing. We can all feel anger, worry, sadness, guilt, loneliness, isolation, confusion, longing for the past, wanting to turn the clock back. Unfortunately this is not possible, we must live for today, tomorrow and the future.
Get to know your Dementia Support Worker or Dementia Advisor responsible for the cared for person. They will be able to help you get practical help in your caring role.
Accepting help It is not unknown for carers to refuse help in the early stages of an illness. It is vital to accept the help and support you will need as time progresses. By accepting help you will know that you are not alone. Your local Community Mental Health Service is a vital link where workers from a range of professional backgrounds will be able to help with practical problems and provide advice to people who use services and carers. Their role is to provide community interventions where practicable, to help people stay in their own homes.
Support Services
Alzheimer’s Society
Alzheimer’s Society provides arrange of support services for people with dementia, their families and their carers in your area:-
For information, support and confidential guidance, speak to trained advisers on the
Devon Dementia Helpline Telephone 0300 123 2029
Devon Dementia Support Service
Dementia Support Workers / Dementia Advisers can give you expert practical advice and support to help you understand dementia, cope with the day-to-day challenges it brings, and prepare for the future. This includes helping you access other support services, and build support networks within your community. The service helps you feel supported, maintain independence, choice and control over your life.
For information about the support service or any questions about dementia contact:-
Devon Dementia Support Service Telephone 0300 123 2029
Dementia Connect
Dementia Connect is the Alzheimer’s Society’s online services directory for anyone affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is the most comprehensive and easy-to-use online directory of its kind, with over 3,500 listings of local information and support services that can help people with dementia, their families and carers to live well. Through a simple postcode or place name search, you can find voluntary, statutory and private services nearest to you. Each listing includes a map and clear essential information about the service. For information contact https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/find-support-near-you
Memory Matters
Memory Matters is a series of five educational sessions for people who have recently received a diagnosis of dementia and their carers. The aim of the programme is to increase your understanding of dementia and support you in coming to terms with the condition. Support you in making any necessary adjustments in your life and offering some coping strategies. Offer the opportunity to meet others who are also living with dementia. Provide advice on how to stay healthy and advice on planning for the future in a positive way. The programme runs over five weeks and each session will last for two hours.
For information Telephone 0300 123 2029 email memorymatters@alzheimers.org.uk
Carers Groups
Carers groups are run by doctor’s surgeries, hospitals, clinics or by volunteer organisations. Speak to other carers in the group and on the telephone. Sharing your experiences helps you both through difficult times. Have time for yourself by using the take a break scheme, day centre or have short break care for the cared for person, either in their own home, residential or nursing home. Ask at Doctor's surgeries, hospitals, clinics, day centres and other carers for details of local carers groups.
Memory Cafés
A Memory Café is a drop in centre, which is open on a regular basis to provide information for anyone who has, or is worried about, memory loss. People with dementia and their family or carers are encouraged to attend. Often a qualified health professional will be in attendance for confidential, private consultation. Memory Cafés provide information and peer support for you and the cared for person. They are run by a number of local agencies, including partnerships between the voluntary sector, the NHS and local Authorities.
See https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/find-support-near-you
Carer’s Alert Card Scheme
The Carer’s Alert Card is designed to provide round the clock assistance to ensure that if the carers have an emergency, support is put in place to enable the cared for person to be looked after. The card only has a reference number on it. All personal details are held at a secure central data base. The card is carried in your handbag or wallet.
For information contact Devon Carers Telephone 03456 434 435 see Links page
Respite Care (Short breaks)
Respite care gives people a chance to relax by having a break or taking a holiday. The care can be provided either at home or away from the home. Respite care is short-term care used as a temporary alternative to a person’s usual care arrangements. It is important that carers have regular breaks and make time for their own needs. Respite care may also be needed in other situations, the carer might have to go into hospital or have other important commitments.
For information contact Care Direct see Links page or Telephone 0345 155 1007
Mentoring Service
A Community Mentoring Service can offer support and help if you are experiencing difficulties because of isolation, stress, depression or anxiety. A local coordinator will get in touch and arrange to visit you to find out how a community mentor can help. The mentor can point you in the direction of other organisations able to help you, and plan what you would like to achieve with the help of the service. As well as being open to carers, this service is also provided for people in the early stages of dementia.
For information contact Care Direct see Links page or Telephone 0345 155 1007
Homecare and Support Services
There are private company’s offering a wide range of personalised care and support services to people in their own home. The services include:-
Obtain information, factsheets and leaflets from:-
Get to know your Dementia Support Worker or Dementia Advisor responsible for the cared for person. They will be able to help you get practical help in your caring role.
Accepting help It is not unknown for carers to refuse help in the early stages of an illness. It is vital to accept the help and support you will need as time progresses. By accepting help you will know that you are not alone. Your local Community Mental Health Service is a vital link where workers from a range of professional backgrounds will be able to help with practical problems and provide advice to people who use services and carers. Their role is to provide community interventions where practicable, to help people stay in their own homes.
Support Services
Alzheimer’s Society
Alzheimer’s Society provides arrange of support services for people with dementia, their families and their carers in your area:-
- Dementia Advisers provide information and guidance to people with dementia and their carers from their dementia helpline
- Dementia Support Workers provide one to one information and practical support to people with dementia and their carers
- Memory Matters Groups offer support and education to people who have recently received a diagnosis of dementia. These groups are held in various locations across Devon
- Memory Café / Activity Group Is a place for people with dementia and their carers to share information and experiences, or to simply have a cup of tea and chat.
- Peer Support groups for people with dementia or carers and families
- Leadership Group run by people with dementia to advise and feedback on local issues. These groups are held in various locations across Devon
- Singing for the Brain Is a stimulating group activity, for people in the early to moderate stages of dementia and their carers, which can help with general well being and confidence.
For information, support and confidential guidance, speak to trained advisers on the
Devon Dementia Helpline Telephone 0300 123 2029
Devon Dementia Support Service
Dementia Support Workers / Dementia Advisers can give you expert practical advice and support to help you understand dementia, cope with the day-to-day challenges it brings, and prepare for the future. This includes helping you access other support services, and build support networks within your community. The service helps you feel supported, maintain independence, choice and control over your life.
For information about the support service or any questions about dementia contact:-
Devon Dementia Support Service Telephone 0300 123 2029
Dementia Connect
Dementia Connect is the Alzheimer’s Society’s online services directory for anyone affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is the most comprehensive and easy-to-use online directory of its kind, with over 3,500 listings of local information and support services that can help people with dementia, their families and carers to live well. Through a simple postcode or place name search, you can find voluntary, statutory and private services nearest to you. Each listing includes a map and clear essential information about the service. For information contact https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/find-support-near-you
Memory Matters
Memory Matters is a series of five educational sessions for people who have recently received a diagnosis of dementia and their carers. The aim of the programme is to increase your understanding of dementia and support you in coming to terms with the condition. Support you in making any necessary adjustments in your life and offering some coping strategies. Offer the opportunity to meet others who are also living with dementia. Provide advice on how to stay healthy and advice on planning for the future in a positive way. The programme runs over five weeks and each session will last for two hours.
For information Telephone 0300 123 2029 email memorymatters@alzheimers.org.uk
Carers Groups
Carers groups are run by doctor’s surgeries, hospitals, clinics or by volunteer organisations. Speak to other carers in the group and on the telephone. Sharing your experiences helps you both through difficult times. Have time for yourself by using the take a break scheme, day centre or have short break care for the cared for person, either in their own home, residential or nursing home. Ask at Doctor's surgeries, hospitals, clinics, day centres and other carers for details of local carers groups.
Memory Cafés
A Memory Café is a drop in centre, which is open on a regular basis to provide information for anyone who has, or is worried about, memory loss. People with dementia and their family or carers are encouraged to attend. Often a qualified health professional will be in attendance for confidential, private consultation. Memory Cafés provide information and peer support for you and the cared for person. They are run by a number of local agencies, including partnerships between the voluntary sector, the NHS and local Authorities.
See https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/find-support-near-you
Carer’s Alert Card Scheme
The Carer’s Alert Card is designed to provide round the clock assistance to ensure that if the carers have an emergency, support is put in place to enable the cared for person to be looked after. The card only has a reference number on it. All personal details are held at a secure central data base. The card is carried in your handbag or wallet.
For information contact Devon Carers Telephone 03456 434 435 see Links page
Respite Care (Short breaks)
Respite care gives people a chance to relax by having a break or taking a holiday. The care can be provided either at home or away from the home. Respite care is short-term care used as a temporary alternative to a person’s usual care arrangements. It is important that carers have regular breaks and make time for their own needs. Respite care may also be needed in other situations, the carer might have to go into hospital or have other important commitments.
For information contact Care Direct see Links page or Telephone 0345 155 1007
Mentoring Service
A Community Mentoring Service can offer support and help if you are experiencing difficulties because of isolation, stress, depression or anxiety. A local coordinator will get in touch and arrange to visit you to find out how a community mentor can help. The mentor can point you in the direction of other organisations able to help you, and plan what you would like to achieve with the help of the service. As well as being open to carers, this service is also provided for people in the early stages of dementia.
For information contact Care Direct see Links page or Telephone 0345 155 1007
Homecare and Support Services
There are private company’s offering a wide range of personalised care and support services to people in their own home. The services include:-
- Domiciliary care to help a person to get up, wash, get dressed and have breakfast. A return visit providing assistance in getting ready for bed, including evening meals, a bed change, bath or shower. Domestic tasks could include cleaning, laundry and ironing. Preparation of food, drink and medication prompts
- Short break / Respite Care supports the carer by giving them a break away from their caring responsibilities. It can be provided in the home, a care home or a day centre. The break is good for the carers physical and mental wellbeing
- Overnight care can be either on a ‘sleeping night’, or a ‘waking night’ basis where the care worker is awake and on duty throughout the night
- Dementia care is for someone with dementia and may be of a practical nature, including help with getting up, washing and dressing, going out to the shops, a walk in the park or a visit to relatives or friends • Live in care gives the option of high quality care within the home. The service offers the reassurance of 24 hour care and support in the comfort of their own home surroundings
- End of Life Care provides essential personal care and support to enable them to remain at home in familiar surroundings
Obtain information, factsheets and leaflets from:-
- Age UK See our Links page for phone numbers and website address
- Alzheimer’s Society See our Links page for phone numbers and website address
- Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) See our Links page for phone number and website address
