Caring for an elderly person or someone with dementia
Supporting you
Caring for someone with dementia comes with challenges of all of its own. In the early stages of dementia, you may notice very few signs of change and many people can enjoy life in the same way as before their diagnosis.
However, as symptoms become worse, the person you are caring for may start to feel anxious, stressed, and scared at not being able to remember things, follow conversations or concentrate in the way that they once used to.
It’s important to support the person you care for to maintain their skills and abilities as well as, where possible, an active social life. This can also help how they feel about themselves.
But none of these things are easy and when you are caring for someone with dementia it is often important to look for help and support from organisations and people with experience and know-how.
At Barnet Carers we often speak to people who are caring for someone with dementia. Where we can, we work hard to make sure that they get the support they need. To do that we work with local partners.
We hope that you find this information useful. Please contact us if we can be of support.
Support organisations
“Age UK Barnet is a local charity providing quality services and activities for people over the age of 55 in the borough. Our Dementia Hub offers a dementia adviser service where we provide information and advice that’s right for you and our advisers can link the whole family to specialist support services. Day opportunities are offered at our two venues in East Finchley and Hendon, giving people living with memory issues and their carers a chance to enjoy fun and stimulating activities and events. We also provide support for carers online and face to face.
To find out more and how to access our activities and services, please email [email protected] or check out our website
Dementia Club UK goes above and beyond to provide help and support to those living with dementia and also their carers and families to put smiles on their faces and give them a better quality of life.
If you would like to join a Dementia Club UK group, all you need to do is contact Lisa by email at [email protected] and get put onto the group list.
Useful resources
In partnership with Nightingale Hammerson
We have partnered with Nightingale Hammerson to provide carers with essential and practical information on supporting older people and people with dementia. You can find out more about the charity here.
For more great content from the Nightingale Hammerson Reach Programme including fact sheets, information on a wide range of topics please go to the website here.
Other useful video resources and fact sheets
There are lots of resources on the web if you are caring for someone with dementia. Below we have added some of our favourites that we think might be of use to you.
Dementia
and Agitation
Dementia
and Repetitive questions
Dementia and Depression and anxiety
Dementia
and Refusal to bathe
Dementia and Repetitive Phonecalls
Dementia
and Sundowning
How we can help
Carers Needs Assessments
A Carers Needs Assessment can help you get the support you need. It takes less than an hour and can be done over the telephone. Book one today at a time that is convenient to you.
Events for Carers
We run lots of events for carers so come and get involved. From Yoga and Mindfulness to coffee mornings, there is something for everyone – and if there is something that you would like us to put on, just let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your wishes. Check out our events calendar.
Expert support
Our expert Adult Carer support staff have years of experience in helping carers get the help they need. Whether you are brand new to caring or have been doing it for some time, if you need a hand, contact them and arrange a call.
