Age needs one voice. Now it has:
Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern England and
Help the Aged in England.
If you wish to discuss your symptoms and concerns before visiting your GP or while awaiting the results of any investigations or if you are recently diagnosed with dementia you may wish to contact the Alzheimer’s Society.
It has an extensive range of information on Alzheimer’s disease, other types of dementia and on emotional and practical issues that people with dementia and their families often encounter. It also offers helpline support and an email enquiry service. There are over 240 groups who can offer practical and emotional support at a local level and signpost to local services.
The nature of dementia means your condition will change over time. It is important that the health professional responsible for your care tells you about the range of local services that can help you and family members who care for you.
This includes social services should you need help with personal care and day-to-day activities or regular respite care and voluntary groups that can provide both practical and emotional support to you and your family.
Caring is a very demanding job, so if you care for someone with dementia it is important you know where you can go for help and support and if respite breaks are available though social services.
You can find more about help available through social services by calling Age UK.
If you have difficulty managing personal care or day-to-day tasks or need watching over to make sure you are all right, you may be able to claim a non means-tested benefit – Disability Living Allowance if you are under 65 years old or Attendance Allowance if you are aged 65 and over. You can find out more about these and other benefits you may be entitled to by calling Age UK on 0800 169 6565.
There may be a time in the future when your symptoms mean you are no longer able to make decisions about your financial affairs or about medical treatment. One option is to draw up, in advance, separate Lasting Powers of Attorney – one to cover financial decisions and one to cover health and welfare decisions. This involves appointing someone you trust to act on your behalf should this happen.
You can find out more about options by calling Age UK or Carers Direct.
The Alzheimer’s Society (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk Helpline: 0300 222 1122 The Alzheimer’s Society offers information, advice and support for people with dementia and their families. Alzheimer’s Scotland – Action on DementiaWebsite: www.alzscot.org Helpline: 0808 808 3000
Carers DirectWebsite: www.nhs.uk/carersdirectCarers Direct helpline: 0808 802 0202An online and telephone service providing information advice and support for carers .
Dementia UKWebsite: www.dementiauk.org Helpline: 0845 257 9406Email: direct@fordementia.org.ukDementia UK is a national charity committed to improving the life of all people affected by dementia. Their helpline is staffed by Admiral nurses - specialist mental health nurses who work within the NHS and are supported by Dementia UK. Admiral nurses only work in some parts of the country. Uniting Carers is their national network of family carers who want to share their experience of caring for someone with dementia to make a difference.
National Dementia StrategyWebsite: http://www.dh.gov.uk This link takes you to a short summary of the key targets of the national dementia strategy. This accessible summary can be found by scrolling down the introductory page.
NHS Choices website: Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia are listed separately in the Health A-Z section www.nhs.uk
The following section takes you to information about Living with Dementia and how to find out about local and national support. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dementia/Pages/Introduction.aspx
By following this link, you can find out more about medication and NICE decisions in the Treatment section. http://www.nhs.uk/pathways/dementia/pages/landing.aspx
NICE guidance CG42 explains the support and treatment you can expect from the NHS and social careWebsite: www.nice.org.uk/CG42Look for a patient version of any Guidance document. You can find it under the heading – NICE guidance written for patients and carers
Set your location to see what Age UK offers in your local area.
The Health A-Z section of this website contains information on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of many types of illnesses. It also includes video interviews with specialists and patients.
The Alzheimer's Society works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Set the appearance of this website so you can read it more easily
To see information relating to Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales set your preference below: