2. Alzheimer Scotland
a) Moving on Together (Dumfries and Galloway): Alzheimer Scotland's Moving on Together project enables carers, who may have become isolated during their caring role, to engage in social activity in the company of people who understand dementia and have had a similar experience. Alzheimer Scotland promotes supportive relationships and friendships within the group, providing opportunities for carers to arrange to meet privately with a dementia worker should they have worries, concerns or difficulties coping with particular aspects of their situation.
Both over the short and longer term, the group provides carers with access to support, which enables them to cope and move forward. Carers remain within the group for as long as it suits them.
Alzheimer Scotland works in partnership with social services, community mental health teams, GPs, and other Third Sector groups who may make referrals, but are not involved in the running of the groups.
"I have had the very best attention during and after my husband's illness and after he died. I cannot say enough about the carer liaison worker, she helped me so much by listening and talking to me over a cup of coffee or tea. She also encouraged me to come to the Alzheimer's meetings which I enjoy very much and I have made good friends through it as we all have something in common to talk about."
"The carer liaison worker should work full-time and take no holidays!"
"The carer liaison worker has been a wonderful support above and beyond the call of duty! Can she be cloned?"
"I would like to say how lucky we are here in Dumfries and Galloway to have the help we get."
b) Dementia Carers Support Group (West Dunbartonshire): Alzheimer Scotland's carers support group provides carers with a 'one-stop and shop' to access information and support with their caring role. Carers can meet with other carers in a safe, comfortable environment and have regular access to a range of professionals who work with people who have dementia and their carers. In addition the centre offers a range of other services which the carer can access, for example, short break service for carers along with activities for carers, including therapies.
The service is delivered once every month in Clydebank Carers Centre. Carers can, if they wish, bring along the person that they care for as a range of stimulating activities is provided for the person with dementia by a support worker and a volunteer from Alzheimer Scotland.
Alzheimer Scotland works in partnership with Carers of West Dunbartonshire, health workers from the Older Adults Team based at the Glenkirk Centre in Drumchapel, and social work staff from the Community Older People's Team in Hardgate.
"It makes me feel relaxed to speak to others in the same position."
"The old saying 'a problem shared is a problem halved."
"It's good to meet other carers and learn from them."
"I found the people so understanding of what I was going through. I was not alone and my feelings of guilt are not unusual. There was a bond with the people."
"Time to ask questions, discuss with others in a similar situation, time to relax a little."
c) Home Support (Motherwell): Alzheimer Scotland seeks to enhance and maintain the social skills of the person with dementia by encouraging everyday skills and hobbies. The service is about doing things with the person and not for them, with the support of family and friends. The time spent with the service users then allows the carer regular respite and time to look after their own needs.
The person's carer needed time away as the cared-for person's needs were growing and putting additional demands on the carers who had their own health problems. The service had undertaken trial days at a care home but they were unsuccessful and not conducive to the age of the service user. Also, the fall-out after the trial days caused more stress for the carer and added to the need for appropriate respite.
Discussions took place with the carer about the daily routine of the service user. Consideration was given to looking at the regular support worker providing weekend overnights. Two more workers were recruited for the day time support. This was planned over a week with introduction visits to the person with dementia and carer at their home. The carer provided a written daily routine, as well as contact details of other family, and medication details.