The challenges of being a dementia carer

Feb 9, 2020 | About Dementia, Advice, Blog, Personal stories

A friend recently asked me to reveal the biggest challenge of caring for a parent with dementia. In reality, there is no simple answer to that question. It’s been almost four years since my mum died, but when someone asks me a question like that it brings back...

Persuading a loved one to accept help

Jan 11, 2020 | Advice

There is a recurring theme among carers when it comes to the reason why many don’t seek help. ‘I’d love to get help looking after my mum/dad/partner, but they won’t let anyone else except me take care of them.’ I’ve heard this said many times and I faced the same...

How to cope with carer’s stress

Nov 4, 2019 | Advice

Are your stress levels soaring? You’re not alone. In 2015, the charity, Carers UK, surveyed 5000 carers across the UK and the results showed that 84 per cent of carers feel stressed. In addition, 78 per cent feel more anxious these days and a whopping 55 per cent...

How to cope with anger in a person with dementia

Sep 9, 2019 | Advice, Behaviour

Dementia can increase a person’s frustration and cause mood swings. This is partly because daily tasks are tougher to complete. Regularly losing a purse, keys or other personal items can frustrate the person and lead them to lose their temper, especially if they have...

Talking to a person with dementia

May 19, 2019 | Advice

Dementia Action Week takes place on 20-26 May and is a campaign by Alzheimer’s Society to show that everyone can take action by starting a conversation with a person living with dementia. I have to be honest. I’m not big on ‘health days’ and awareness weeks in...

What to do when a person forgets their loved one has died

Mar 27, 2019 | Advice, Behaviour

Former carer Christina Neal reveals why it’s not a good idea to tell a person with dementia that their loved one has died when they have forgotten. Mum was confused. That was nothing new. But the words that came out of her mouth left me baffled, upset and...