Alzheimer's caregivers are often thrust into their role with little or no experience, training, or education about Alzheimer's disease. As a result, they are often overwhelmed and suffer from feelings of helplessness.--Bob DeMarcoWhen the diagnosis comes you need to deal with the shock, and often, the auto response of denial. The internal conflict heightens as you try to deal with your own feelings, and at the same time try to figure out what to do.
Figuring out what to do is not easy. This problem is exacerbated because there is no consistent way to identify resources throughout the U.S. It all depends on where you live. It also depends on luck. I had to go through about 20 people before I finally found someone that could give me a good overall understanding of the landscape in the Delray Beach area. It took me months to accomplish what I thought would be an easy thing to do.
They announced a new program in England that is designed to do something about this very real problem.
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First specialist dementia advisors start work
This is the beginning of real change to transform the lives of people with dementia. We know that people with dementia and their families are under huge strain. Dementia advisors will be there for them when they need help, from diagnosis onwards.--Phil Hope, Care Services Minister
People with dementia and their families will get more support throughout the course of the illness as the first dementia advisors start work from today.
Demonstrator sites, announced by Care Services Minister Phil Hope, will kick off in 22 areas around the country. An additional 18 sites will test different kinds of support networks for families and carers.
The advisors will act as a guide to help people with dementia and their families navigate the care and support system throughout their illness. They will help provide easy access to care, support and advice.
The sites piloting support networks will test different ways of providing local practical and emotional support for people with dementia and their carers and give them an opportunity to take an active role in developing local services. Some of the services that will be piloted include dementia cafes – places where people with dementia and their carers can meet up - and a simple social networking site which will allow people with dementia to network with others.
Several of the demonstrator sites will also focus on working with harder to reach minority groups such as people with learning difficulties, BME groups and people who do not speak English.
The Care Services Minister made the announcement while visiting the Croydon Memory Clinic - an example of the memory clinics which will be set up across the country to ensure early diagnosis and intervention.
Phil Hope said:
'This is the beginning of real change to transform the lives of people with dementia. We know that people with dementia and their families are under huge strain. Dementia advisors will be there for them when they need help, from diagnosis onwards.
'This project will test different support methods so we can see what families respond to best. After that, I want to see dementia advisors start taking up post all around the country. They will be crucial in making sure people with dementia and their families get the help and support they need.'
Neil Hunt, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Society said:
'Today marks the beginning of an exciting period of transformation in dementia care as we begin to see the promises of the National Dementia Strategy put into action. Demonstrator sites will explore the best ways of reaching out and supporting people living with dementia. The Alzheimer's Society is pleased to be a part of such positive projects that have the potential to change the lives of thousands of people.'
Bob DeMarco is an Alzheimer's caregiver and editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room. The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one website on the Internet for advice and insight into Alzheimer's disease. Bob taught at the University of Georgia, was an executive at Bear Stearns, the CEO of IP Group, and is a mentor. He has written more than 700 articles with more than 18,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.
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