Who Can I Talk To?

Need Someone to Talk To?

If you feel the need to talk to someone in confidence there are various options for you. Call Guideposts’ own Dementia Information Service for Carers helpline on 0845 4379901 to have a chat about any concerns or to find out about local support. You can also arrange to have a visit from one of Guideposts’ Carer Support Workers who can help you through emotional difficulties, signpost you to local support and can help with making applications for benefits etc. They are available in north Warwickshire, Nuneaton, Bedworth and Rugby. Call 02476 385888 to find out more. If you feel that you are in crisis call the local Samaritans on 02476 678678 for an opportunity to talk in confidence to a trained and experienced volunteer.

A Local Support Group can offer a listening ear too.

For more long term or ongoing help you can speak to a local trained psychotherapists or counsellor. They can provide support to carers or to a person who has just received a diagnosis of dementia.

GP

As well as talking to your GP about general health matters, you should also talk to your GP if you feel you or the person you care for may be becoming depressed.

The GP has a number of options available to them for treating depression, these not only include medication, but also referral to services such as counselling.

It is best to have depression treated as soon as possible, as being depressed will make living with dementia more difficult: whether you have dementia yourself or are a carer.

Community Psychiatric Nurse

People with dementia are likely to receive regular support from a Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN). CPNs visit people with mental health problems and dementia in their own homes to carry out assessments, and provide treatment, care and support. They can advise people with dementia and their carers on ways of coping, and ways of improving their health and quality of life.

Admiral Nurse

Admiral Nurses are skilled and experienced nurses who specialise in dementia. They can offer; information on the nature of the illness and what services are available; practical advice to help you cope; help to deal with your feelings and emotions. The Admiral Nursing Service is supported by Dementia UK, a national charity which aims to work in partnership with the NHS. This is a free service for family carers available in north Warwickshire.
Contact 02476 321520.

Support Online

The Alzheimer's Talking Point is an online discussion forum that provides support for people with dementia and their carers, by allowing you to "chat" over the internet with other people who understand what it's like for you.

Healthtalkonline has developed an online database of interviews with people on a wide range of health related topics. These interviewees talk about how they feel being a carer for a person with dementia. You can watch a video or read the transcripts.

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The Relatives and Residents Association

The Relatives & Residents Association is a national organisation working to promote the well-being of older residents of care homes through:

• Support & Information via the phone helpline 020 7359 8136
• Carrying out project work that focuses on specific issues
• Influencing policy and practice
• Working with local relatives & residents groups in care homes

More information is available on The Relatives & Residents Association website.

Alzheimers Scotland

Alzheimers Scotland also provide a helpline for carers (0808 808 3000) which operates 24 hours a day. Carers from England are welcome to telephone them.

Cruse

When somebody who has dementia dies the grief experienced by their families and friends can be a complicated thing. You may feel you had already lost parts of the person you loved. You may feel relief. You may feel guilt. It may be months later before it really sinks in that the person you loved has died.

Cruse Bereavement Care provides counselling and support to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss.

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