Free guide for families of people with dementia

A HAMPSHIRE care home is launching a free guide to support people whose loved ones have been diagnosed with dementia in line with Dementia Action Week.

A poll of 2,000 adults carried out by Care UK, which operates Pear Tree Court in Horndean, found more than a third of British adults (35 per cent) have many questions about dementia – but do not know how to get the answers.

Tapping into more than 40 years of experience of providing care for people living with dementia, the Let’s Talk About Dementia guide has been designed by Care UK’s experts, including head of nursing, care and dementia Suzanne Mumford, as well as managers and team members across more than 150 care homes.

It addresses topics rarely covered in other guides, including behaviour changes such as swearing and loss of inhibitions, making it a unique toolkit for families and friends of people living with dementia, whether they live at home or in a care home.

Niki Richards, home manager at Pear Tree Court, said: ‘Many families can find themselves feeling powerless when their loved one is diagnosed with dementia, and it can be a very uncertain time for those involved – but we are here to help.

‘Our guide has been designed to reassure those caring for a loved one by providing answers to many of the questions they might have, but also to help educate others so we may create a more dementia-friendly community together.

To pick up a copy of the guide, email kate.slade@ careuk.com or call 02392 986773.

You can also download a digital copy at careuk.com/ letstalkdementia.