What Support is Available for Dementia and Alzheimer’s in Essex?
Dementia and Alzheimers affect a huge number of people in the UK. In this article, we’re looking at the support available for dementia and Alzheimer’s sufferers and their carers in Essex.
In Essex, there are almost 20,000 people living with dementia, Many of whom are cared for by loved ones, who will often feel overwhelmed by the situation. watching a family member deteriorate can be heartbreaking for all involved.
However, there are many resources available to carers in the Essex area and throughout the UK. Many will reach out to the NHS for physical support, but practical and mental support is invariably also required. Let’s delve in and look at the different types of support for dementia and Alzheimer’s sufferers and their carers.
How Does Dementia and Alzheimer’s Affect a Person?
Alzheimer’s is a brain disorder that, over time, erodes memory, thinking skills and the ability to complete simple everyday tasks. As the condition worsens, the sufferer will usually need full-time care, often within a care home as the condition can mean that they are a danger to themselves.
Dementia is an umbrella term which covers a number of cognitive conditions including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. While dementia is often considered to be a condition that only affects older people, younger people can also develop dementia and they invariably require different support such as that provided by Peaceful Place
Why is Obtaining Power of Attorney Important?
As a person with dementia declines, it’s often a wise decision to think about Powers of Attorney. Since the ability to make reasonable decisions about finances and health care be quickly eroded, this change needs to be agreed whilst the person still has mental capacity to make sound decisions. It simply means that a trusted nominated person can make decisions on their behalf regarding health and welfare, and financial matters.
However, it is important to understand that the process of establishing Powers of Attorney is far more difficult once the individual concerned no longer has mental capacity. Additionally, it is always best to contact solicitors that specialise in Powers of Attorney and understand the unique characteristics of dementia, such as specialist dementia solicitors in Chelmsford
If someone declines and hasn’t sorted Powers of Attorney, decisions will be made by law officials who will act in what they deem the dementia patient’s best interest. However, their knowledge of the specific circumstances and desires of any one individual will be limited. Having someone who knows that person with dementia and has a better understanding of what their wishes are likely to be, will ensure more appropriate actions are taken.
What Support is Available for Dementia and Alzheimer’s in Essex?
For sufferers of dementia and their carers, it can often be difficult to know where to turn for help, leading to frustration and a sense of isolation. In this section, we’re going to be taking you through the support that is available for dementia and Alzheimer sufferers and their carers in Essex.
Dementia Friends Essex
With several bases in Essex, including Basildon and Colchester, Dementia Friends is a useful resource for those living with dementia and for their carers. The site provides information on services as well as live streams which provide information and connections for those affected by dementia. Additionally, many areas across Essex and other parts of the country have active Dementia Action Alliances that work with Dementia Friends and a host of other organisations from support groups to local businesses that are dementia friendly.
NHS Dementia Intensive Support Team
Available 365 days a year, the multidisciplinary DIST offers emergency support to dementia sufferers and their carers in conjunction with Essex County Council. The service is accessed by dialling 111 and then choosing option 2 and has been created to help dementia patients remain in their own homes for longer.
Social media
For many people, social media is a go-to resource for information and support and, there are a number of Facebook groups specialising in support for dementia patients and their carers in Essex and, these include:
- Essex Dementia Action Alliance
- Essex Dementia Mentions
- Essex Care Connections
As well as offering information and advice, these groups are a great way of making connections with like-minded people to help the loneliness and isolation that can so often be part and parcel of the dementia and Alzheimer’s journey.
Essex Dementia Care
This incredibly important organisation offers a number of resources for dementia patients and carers in Essex, including information and advice. Essex Dementia Care also runs Oasis Centres which offer much-needed respite as well as a number of activities such as music, dance, games and storytelling.
Activity days usually run between 11.00am and 4.00pm with lunch and refreshments and attendance is free for dementia sufferers and carers (although a small donation to cover the cost of lunch is appreciated).
Respite care
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be a full-time job and a lot of carers will quickly become exhausted as they will have little to no time spare to take care of themselves.
Specialist care homes such as Hallmark Care Homes are available to provide respite stays – short-term residential stays – for dementia sufferers to allow carers to recharge their own batteries without having to commit to permanent residential care for their loved one.
Dementia Adventures
For those with dementia, and their carers, holidays and even day trips can be a minefield and so mentally and physically exhausting that the idea is quickly abandoned. Essex-based Dementia Adventures offers dementia-friendly holidays and outings with expert, qualified support to allow patients and carers to live life to the full.
There’s help where it’s needed…
For dementia and Alzheimer;s sufferers, life can be challenging and frightening as confusion slowly takes over. Equally, for carers, life can be an endless cycle of cleaning, cooking and repeating information with no hope of respite.
Thankfully, as we’ve highlighted in this article, there is help and support available in Essex for [people with dementia, Alzheimer’s and their carers, including organisations which provide real-life meetups to allow patients and carers to make new connections in a social environment.
When caring for a loved one with dementia, it’s important to speak to your GP about the options available to you – including the possibility of social care. If caring full-time, you will also want to investigate your eligibility for carer’s allowance to help with your financial situation.
While dementia and Alzheimer’s are incredibly difficult conditions to deal with, support is available in Essex. For many people, asking for help doesn’t come naturally but attempting to manage by yourself is rarely helpful for yourself or your loved one. For this reason, it’s important to reach out and to take advantage of anything and everything which may help you as you navigate this incredibly tough journey.
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained legal professional. Be sure to consult a lawyer/solicitor if you’re seeking advice on Powers of Attorney or dementia-related issues. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.Images
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