Who Can I Talk To?

Need Someone to Talk To?

When you are caring for someone who has dementia, there are many times that you may feel you need someone to talk to. This may be because you need advice about something, or simply that you just need a listening ear from somebody who understands your situation.

For ease of reference we have divided the information on this page into three groups: online support first, then local contacts, with national helplines further down the page.

Support Online

The Alzheimer's Talking Point is an online discussion forum that provides support for people with dementia and their carers, by allowing you to "chat" over the internet with other people who understand what it's like for you.

Local Contacts

Carers Support Workers

Carers Support Workers work within a number of organisations across Oxfordshire. They can visit you at home, speak on the phone, or meet at a mutually convenient venue, such as one of the carers centres. They are there just for you, to listen to you, and perhaps offer some practical solutions to some of the situations you encounter.

The Carers Support Workers from the following organisations all fulfil a similar role, but have slightly different areas of expertise:

Alzheimer's Society Support Workers

The Alzheimer's Society local branches have specialist Support Workers, who are familiar with the challenges dementia brings. They can help you access information you may need, as well as providing an understanding ear when you need someone to talk to.

Clive Project Support Workers

The Clive Project, an Oxfordshire Charity for younger people with dementia, has two teams of support workers:

• One-to-One Service: a team of trained support workers provide individual sessional support to younger people with dementia and access to social opportunites.
• Family Support Service: dedicated support workers offer information, and practical and emotional support and social opportunities, to family and friends of younger people with dementia.

Carers Centres Carers Support Workers

The Carers Centre Support Workers advise people who are caring for people with all different sorts of disabilities. As well as offering general support they can help you with form filling, and to access specific funds that are there to help you with caring or to help you take a break.

Oxfordshire Carers Centres:

Back to Top

Support Groups

A number of support groups exist, in and around Oxfordshire, that enable carers and family members of people with dementia to meet and talk to other people who know what it's like for them.

Crossroads - "Caring for Carers"

GP

As well as talking to your GP about general health matters, you should also talk to your GP if you feel you or the person you care for may be becoming depressed.

The GP has a number of options available to them for treating depression, these not only include medication, but also referral to services such as counselling.

It is best to have depression treated as soon as possible, as being depressed will make living with dementia more difficult: whether you have dementia yourself or are a carer.

CPN

People with dementia are likely to receive regular support from a Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN). CPNs visit people with mental health problems and dementia in their own homes to carry out assessments, and provide treatment, care and support. They can advise people with dementia and their carers on ways of coping, and ways of improving their health and quality of life.

Memory Services Coordinator

David Janes is the Oxfordshire Memory Services Coordinator, employed by Age Concern, but working within the Memory Clinics team. Can advise on all aspects of Memory Services, including advice about getting an appointment at memory clinic. Can also assist with general advice and information related to dementia.

Dementia Information Service for Carers (DISC)

The Dementia Information Service for Carers (DISC) is designed to assist individuals and organisations caring for older people with dementia.

DISC is a telephone helpline and can provide information on: dementia; locally available community services; options for residential care; what to look for in a care home; training resources; setting up relatives groups in a care home.

Back to Top

National Helplines

Admiral Nurse Helpline

Admiral Nurses (London based), are specialist dementia nurses. They can provide practical advice, emotional support, information and the benefit of their skills and experience.

The Relatives and Residents Association

The Relatives & Residents Association is a national organisation working to promote the well-being of older residents of care homes through:

• Support & Information via the phone helpline 020 7359 8136
• Carrying out project work that focuses on specific issues
• Influencing policy and practice
• Working with local relatives & residents groups in care homes

More information is available on The Relatives & Residents Association website.

Alzheimers Scotland

Alzheimers Scotland also provide a helpline for carers (0808 808 3000) which operates 24 hours a day. Carers from England are welcome to telephone them.

Cruse

When somebody who has dementia dies the grief experienced by their families and friends can be a complicated thing. You may feel you had already lost parts of the person you loved. You may feel relief. You may feel guilt. It may be months later before it really sinks in that the person you loved has died.

Cruse Bereavement Care provides counselling and support to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss.

Further Information and Factsheets

Back to Top