Mental health trust takes action to support dementia carers
Pictured is the older people's team. L-R: Sarah Nicholls, community engagement officer Matts Gunns, occupational therapist Simon Robertson, and social worker Alaina Sandford with Rowena Golledge from the Recovery College who provided seeds for the team to join the Sunflower Challenge.
Dementia not only affects the person with the disease but their family and friends too. This Dementia Action Week (19 - 25 May), Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust spotlights a way it is helping carers stay in touch and share experiences.
Caring with someone with dementia can be a struggle for many people, particularly if they are older.
Hundreds of thousands of elderly people, particularly those over the age of 75, struggle with loneliness and are cut off from social interaction, and looking after someone with dementia adds more pressure.
According to Age UK, more than a million older people say they go over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member. Loneliness can lead to depression and a decline in mental and physical wellbeing.
At Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust's Carlton Court site, a carers group has been set up for inpatient and community service users in older people's services to help support those who are caring for someone with dementia.
Group lead Sarah Nichols said: "This is a fantastic networking event to get carers together and link them in with other organisations who can help give advice and support, such as Age UK."
And people can still come along to the group even if the person they are caring for has left the service.
She said: "Carers can be left not knowing which way to turn and our sessions can be a great help and comfort. We have a few carers in our community whose loved ones have been discharged back to GPs however without the much-needed support they require.
"We have one vibrant lady whose husband sadly passed away on the ward before Christmas. She still attends the carers group and is a great asset."
The year started with a chance for carers to talk about what they wanted from the group for the rest of the year, which included talks from special guests. The group was visited by Elisa Bristow from the Court of Protection and vulnerable person team, who talked about lasting powers of attorney and acting on behalf of clients to help them manage their financial affairs and family representation in disputes.
Suffolk Family Carers, who have helped several carers with their assessments and benefits, will be returning for two sessions during the year, and dementia advisor Jane Miles, from The Alzheimer's Society will also be attending the group.
Sarah said: "It's really important that our older carers do not feel isolated and have someone they feel comfortable talking to. They might not have friends or family nearby so linking them up with others in the same situation means they can share their worries and their tips for coping."
The carers group acknowledged Mental Health Awareness Week on 14 May, building on this year's theme of community, at one of its regular meet-ups at Poppies Lounge at Carlton Court.
Sarah said: "This was an opportunity for us all to focus on how we can further help prioritise our carers and their loved ones' mental health, highlighting the importance of making connections in a social environment to support mental well-being."
Cath Byford, chief patient experience officer and deputy chief executive, said peer support was an important way to help carers, particularly older ones who may feel isolated.
"Caring for someone with dementia is extremely difficult and can be lonely for many people, so being able to meet with others going through the same experience can make a huge difference. The chance to talk to and get support from people who understand is vital."
Photo: Dementia carers group press release photo.zip [zip] 174KB