Been to a Dementia Conference recently? Ever? Me neither. So of course I accepted the invitation from Carers Bucks and so, last Friday, joined the gentle throng at The Gateway, Aylesbury.
According to the Carers Week organisers in June, 78% of carers say they feel more stressed because of their caring role. Few people, other than fellow family carers, fully understand the pressure felt from being responsible for an adult relative 24×7.
It’s one thing deciding to move home and quite another to do it. Especially when you’re leaving your memory filled family home, where you’ve had roots all your life. How can we support the ‘last time buyer’?
By way of light relief and since the sales are on, here are my recommendations on clothing for the stylish woman or man who should find themselves needing extra care support. In other words, clothing that works for the elder and carer.
Even though you’re reading this, it’s likely you don’t identify yourself as a carer. Even if you are actually helping someone. Interesting isn’t it? I guess the ‘carer’ tag just isn’t a ‘sexy’ identifier. Perhaps it even brings negative imagery with it? My friend, that has to change. Perceptions and attitudes around those who care for friends or relatives have to change. Otherwise thousands of people won’t get the support they’re eligible for.
Today I’m at the Carers Bucks AGM, finding out more about what Carers Bucks do. And to add extra excitement (for me at least), I’m speaking too. I’m cock a hoop to be meeting other local carers, care workers and policy makers.
The gateway to older adult social support varies across the UK from local authority to local authority (LA). The GP is the gateway to all health services, whatever your LA. Find out how to get the most from your GP in this post.
Arguably, LPAs (both ‘financial’ and ‘health’) are a good idea for any adults who are mutually dependant on each other. They’re used when one adult suffers a temporary incapacity (eg due to a severe injury). For anyone with a chronic brain disease like dementia, LPAs are an important personal safeguard. Find out how to apply for LPAs in this post.
You need a Care Plan when you start having to explain to others how best to support your elder. If other family members offer help while you’re elsewhere *yay*, it saves you having to explain what to do. The care plan also expresses the current preferences of the person needing extra care.
I’d like to (try to) explain how important it is to engage early on with social services, how you do it and what to expect. Warning – this post is long, but it is important (and it’s much shorter than the ‘official’ bumpf). I’ll explain how it works in Bucks so you will need to double check for your county. In the meantime take a tea break and curl up on a sofa with this for 10 mins.
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