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.

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.

Community Psychiatric Nurse 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.

National Helplines

Admiral Nursing DIRECT Helpline

Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses, supported by the charity Dementia UK. They can provide practical advice, emotional support, information and the benefit of their skills and experience.

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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.

Supporting people from ethnic minorities

Although based in London the Afiya Trust is an organisation with a national perspective. Its aim is to reduce the inequities of health and social care for racialised groups. It campaigns, puts on events and produces publications for both carers and users of mental health services. It provides a networking function for everyone with interests in the black and ethnic minority communities.

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

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