Mental health support for people caring for someone with dementia
Looking after mental health is important for people living with dementia. The condition means they may need more reassurance that they are valued than others and they need activities and stimulation to help them remain alert and motivated.
Charities like Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia UK have information and advice for people living with dementia, and those caring from them.
Locally, the Alzheimer Café Isle of Wight can offer great support and their website has a wealth of links and resources to help those with dementia.
Isle Help, the website run by the Isle of Wight Citizens Advice Service also contains a useful list of health support resources as well as a Dementia Directory to help you find support in your area.
Admiral Nurses work with families to ensure that they are better able to understand and cope with the changes that can occur with dementia, by giving them the knowledge to understand the condition and its effects, and the skills to improve communication and behaviours. This collaborative working enables the family to stay together for as long as possible. To access this service the person living with dementia must be registered with a GP on the Isle of Wight and the carer must be providing care and support for the person with a diagnosis of dementia. Referrals are currently open via the Memory Service and Isle of Wight GPs. For more information please contact Isle of Wight NHS Tel: 01983 822099 extension: 5386. Website: www.iow.nhs.uk
If you are a carer looking after someone with dementia you might also find this information from Carers IW helpful. See also the Carers section of our website.
