Carers for People with Dementia

For many people, becoming a carer is a natural progression, often due to a family member, parent, or partner developing some form of Dementia and needing help with day to day living.

As a carer you may be living with the person you are caring for, you may also live close by, far away, or they may be living in a residential care home. Even in this latter example, the carer can still provide additional care and support to that offered by professional carers that work at the home. Although the person you are looking after may not admit that they need your help, to others it is often apparent that they do. It is however, very important to recognise that the person with Dementia should be allowed to do as much for themselves as they can safely manage on a regular basis. This will help the person retain a sense of dignity and respect regardless of the level of independence they have and will also help retain cognitive skills that may otherwise be lost.

As a carer, it is very important that you also take care of yourself, (as you also need to take care of someone else). Too often, carers neglect themselves in favour of the person they are caring for, usually with detrimental results to both parties. Regardless of the reasons for becoming a carer, the decision to do so should be applauded, and with the correct help and advice, the outcome can be hugely beneficial for both the cared for, and the carer.

The information in this section of the website, (with the red banner to the left), should help you to do all of these things.