A family and carers quick guide for people with dementia

by | 12/12/2018 | Archive, Dementia Care, Guidance, NICE

Source: NICE.org

This quick guide is designed to get the right information to people working in the health and social care sector to pass on to families.

Planning for the here and now

After a diagnosis, the person should be directed to the services that can give them more information and support. They should also be given the name of a professional who will coordinate any care and support they might need. The named professional should:

  • Arrange a meeting to assess their needs
  • Give them information about services and how to get in touch with them
  • Involve their family or carers (if they wish)
  • Help them make a plan for their care and support. They should also give a copy of this to their carer and agree how often to have it checked
     

    • Planning for tomorrow

    Thinking ahead may feel difficult but advance care planning can be helpful in making sure people are aware of their wishes for the future. When they feel ready for this discussion, they should be offered support and information to discuss:

    • Why it’s helpful to plan ahead
    • Their wishes, preferences and beliefs for their future care (advance statement)
    • Whether they want to refuse any specific medical treatment at some time in the future (advance decision)
    • Making legal decisions about their health and welfare, and property and money if they can no longer make them yourself (lasting power of attorney)
    • Where they would prefer to be cared for, including at the end of their life
       

    Supporting our carers

    As a carer supporting a person living with dementia, you should be offered:

    • Training to help you understand dementia, provide care and communicate with the person who has dementia, look after yourself, find out about services, plan activities and think about the future
    • Support that is flexible and right for you and what you want to achieve, that helps you support your relative or friend, and that is available when you need it. This may be as part of a group or online
    • Advice about how to get an assessment of your own needs (a ‘carer’s assessment’) and about how to get a short break or respite care
       

    If you would like to learn more about caring for dementia, you are able to download full resources and more information here.