The Dementia Diaries:Tales from an unprepared carer

It was quite clear that dad would need some daily support if he was going to be able to remain living at home. Although dad was able to get up and dressed, make himself a basic breakfast, sandwich and hot drink, he wouldn’t be able to manage his medication or to cook a meal for himself. As in my previous post, I would recommend that people contact their local adult social care team for advice with navigating this. If your loved one has an appearance of need then they are required to undertake a care needs assessment. Dependent on the amount of savings your loved one has, they may receive support with paying for their care and, even if they are not eligible for financial assistance, an assessment may be really helpful to you in identifying support needs that you may not have even thought about.

I was already aware that dad would have to fund his own support and felt confident that I understood the tasks with which he would need support. I also realised that, in going through adult social care, there may be a delay in getting help in place.

I was lucky enough to have had a recommendation from the dementia nurse of a small local agency so made contact. Incredibly, the agency were able to pick up the care within a week of my mum passing away. We agreed on two 30 minute calls per day. At the morning call, the carers would prompt with medication and at the evening call, carers would reheat a frozen meal. At both calls, the focus would be on social interaction. My plan was that, in time, we may be able to get the carers undertaking additional tasks, but a trusting relationship would need to be formed first.