Book: Coping and Self-Care
10. Caring with support
Connecting with supportive family and friends can help relieve stress. Do remember some family members or friends may not understand dementia or may not be empathetic to the full implications of the caring in Later Stages.
Health Care
Professionals (HCP) are key supports to family carers, particularity in Later
Stage dementia; people such as Public Health Nurses, your local doctor, a Dementia Advisor, Occupational Therapist, Dietician, and Speech And Language Therapist.
Health Care Professionals (HCPs) and family carers have complementary forms of expertise. HCPs have
knowledge of the disease and the anticipated journey of dementia. While you the
carer understand the person, what works and what doesn’t in terms of their care
preferences and wishes. You can learn from the HCP’s in terms of information,
advice and skills to help enrich your caring experience and also to consider
the future as far as possible.
Good, clear communication is essential.
Talk to the HCP about your concerns and confirm with them that you
understand what is being said. Write down questions for the next time and take
notes to help you remember the main points.
Open communication will help you to become empowered in the Later Stages
of Care and remain active in decisions. Open communication between everyone
leads to person centred care for the person living with dementia and may also
facilitate the forming of new relationships.