What support is out there for dementia carers?
Collaborative Post
Caring for someone with dementia can be very challenging. Fortunately, there is a lot of support out there for carers that could make life easier. Below are just some of the different forms of support that are worth looking into.
Government benefits
As a carer, you may be eligible for government benefits such as carer’s allowance. Grants also exist which can help to fund home improvements for disabilities. Make sure to look into these forms of financial support. This could help to take away some of the financial strain of being a carer.
Local charity support
There could also be local charities that can offer support. This could include financial support or even voluntary assistance with tasks like shopping or even arranging days out. Get in touch with your local council to see if they can help you identify local charities to get in touch with. It’s worth also doing some research online to see what charities exist in your area.
Household gadgets
There are all kinds of gadgets that can be useful for helping those with dementia. This includes various GPS tracking devices such as watches, which could be useful for tracking your loved one if they have a tendency to go on walks and get lost. There are also various memory aid gadgets that you can buy that can tell your loved one when to take medication or gadgets that play music to help trigger memories. Dementia clocks that clearly display whether it is day or night can be a useful gadget too. Some people with dementia can get up in the middle of the night thinking that it is day time – such a clock may prevent this by allowing them to easily tell the time.
Help with caring
Everyone needs a helping hand now and again. If you don’t already hire at-home carers to come in, consider looking into it – just a few hours per week could help to give you a break. It’s worth also considering care homes for respite care. Shop around for care options to find the best prices.
Professional advice
Professional advice can be useful sometimes when it comes to finding new ways to care for your loved one. There are many sites dedicated to professional advice. You may also be able to talk to your doctor who may be able to recommend a dementia specialist. This could include advice for your loved one if they’re in the early stages of dementia and want to know what they can do to make things better.
Mental health counselling
Caring for someone with dementia can be mentally and physically exhausting. Make sure that you’re looking after your own health – particularly your mental health. There are counsellors out there who you can talk to if you’re getting depressed. There may also be support groups where you can talk to other fellow carers (many people find this to be very beneficial by allowing them to talk to people who can relate to their struggles).
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