Health advice on offer as your loved ones get older

The local pharmacy can help provide support for those living with dementia

LOOKING after an elderly relative can be tough, whether you live under the same roof or many miles away.

According to charity Carers UK, more than one in five adults has had their work affected by caring responsibilities, and more than two million people have given up their jobs completely*.

And it can be even more of a challenge if your relative is suffering from dementia, an issue highlighted by World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21 every year.

According to Alzheimer’s Society figures**, there are 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, including one in six people over the age of 80.

The Society also predicts that the number will rise to more than a million by 2025 and two million** by 2051.

While carers rarely complain about the impact it has on their lives, it is always good to know there is support available.

Your local community pharmacist, such as at Boots, can help to offer advice about most aspects of caring for the health of an elderly relative, from everyday health issues to dealing with dementia, including help in understanding the condition and how to spot the early signs. You don’t need an appointment – you can simply pop into your local Boots pharmacy store and speak to the pharmacist or any member of the pharmacy team who will be happy to answer your health questions.

Most Boots staff are on hand to discuss any symptoms that may be worrying you, such as shortterm memory changes, difficulty finding the right words, confusion or a failing sense of direction.

They can also recommend seeing a GP if necessary, who may be able to signpost people to services that help to relieve pressure on carers, and allow elderly people already diagnosed with dementia to live happily and independently for as long as possible.

The pharmacists and staff at your local Boots pharmacy store can also offer advice to help elderly people take the right dose of their prescribed medicine at the right time.

And with pharmacists on hand to answer questions about common health problems, such as arthritis, diabetes, joint, bone and bladder problems, elderly people and their relatives and carers can find that dropping into their local Boots pharmacy is the easiest and most convenient way to manage their everyday health and wellbeing.

For those looking for extra support to continue living at home, the Home Assist Service can offer care and reassurance, as well as peace of mind for carers and family members.

Boots has teamed up with specialist telecare provider Tunstall Healthcare to offer a Home Assist Service, which gives round-the-clock assistance with an easy-to-use pendant that, when pressed, alerts a member of the on-call support team when you or your loved one needs help at home.

Home Assist can help reclaim some of the independence and confidence you or your loved ones may have lost in later life.

To find out more about Home Assist, information is available online only, visit Boots.com/homeassist where an information leaflet is available to download.

STAFF from a Boots store gave people with dementia and their families a special experience with a unique hospital pamper day. Julie Redfern, store manager, and beauty adviser Ellie Holland spent the afternoon with dementia patients at a hospital,...