Need Someone to Talk to?
When you are caring for someone who has dementia, there are many times that you may feel you need someone to talk to. This may be because you need advice about something, or simply that you just need a listening ear from somebody who understands your situation.
For ease of reference we have divided the information on this page into three groups: Online Support first, then Local contacts, with National Helpline numbers further down the page.
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.
Local Support
If you prefer to speak to someone about dementia, Oxfordshire now has its own Dementia Information Line. The telephone number is:
Please Note: From Friday, 1st April 2011 the Oxfordshire Dementia Information Line will be open from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday and 10am to 6pm, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Dementia Advisers
What is a Dementia Adviser?
Dementia Advisers are dedicated staff based at GP surgeries providing information, guidance and support to help people live well with dementia.
The Dementia Adviser can:
- Provide information about dementia and dementia care
- Advise about and signpost to national and local services
- Be someone you can talk to whenever you have a question or need more information
It is hoped that, by having a named person to help give guidance and information, it will enable a person to:
- Stay at home for longer
- Be able to foresee and plan for things before they get to crisis point
- Live a happier and more socially involved life
Can I Talk to a Dementia Adviser?
To see a Dementia Adviser you, or the person with dementia you care for, needs to:
- Have been diagnosed with a dementia
- Live in the community (not a care home or nursing home).
How do I arrange to Talk to a Dementia Adviser?
Your GP should automatically refer you to your local Adviser. However, if you have not been offered the service then you need to ask your GP to refer you, or you can telephone the Adviser local to your area. Details on the back of this leaflet.
The Dementia Adviser will arrange a time to talk and discuss how they can help.What sort of Information and Advice can I Expect from the Adivser?
Information on:
- Learning more about dementia
- Understanding how to cope with problems associated with dementia
- Finding out about local help and support
- Finding out about benefits and other financial matters
- A range of tailored information support, signposting to Local and National support services
- Promoting self help, access to information and Peer Support
To contact the Dementia Adviser in your area please e-mail or phone:
Oxfordshire County Council Dementia Advisers:
Michelle Townsend for the West on 07774 335 653 or email to Dementia.Advisors@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Alex Wheeler for Cherwell on 07774 335 654 or email to Dementia.Advisors@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Richard Swinford for City on 07774 335 655 or email to Dementia.Advisors@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Janet Briggs for the South and Vale on 07827 979 212 or email to Dementia.Advisors@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Alzheimer's Society Dementia Support Workers
The Alzheimer's Society local branches have specialist Support Workers, who are familiar with the challenges dementia brings. They can help you access information you may need, as well as providing an understanding ear when you need someone to talk to. See our local support page for contact details.
Sue Smith for West Oxon on 07833 952 514 or email to sue.smith@alzheimers.org.uk
Cathy King-Spooner for South East Oxon on 07889 604 599 or email to cathy.king-spooner@alzheimers.org.uk
Clare Abolins for Vale on 07540 921 040 or email to clare.abolins@alzheimers.org.uk
Shriley Baker for the North on 07525 404 175 or email to shirley.baker@alzheimers.org.uk
Frances Claydon for the North on 07525 404 175 or email to frances.claydon@alzheimers.org.uk
Maggie Jarrott for the North East on 07771 611 041 or email to maggie.jarrott@alzheimers.org.uk
For the City please call 01865 876 508
Carert Support WorkersCarer Support Workers work within a number of organisations across Oxfordshire. They can visit you at home, speak on the phone, or meet at a mutually convenient venue, such as one of the carers centres. They are there just for you, to listen to you, and perhaps offer some practical solutions to some of the situations you encounter. The Carer Support Workers from the organisations below all fulfil a similar role, but have slightly different areas of expertise. Carers OxfordshireCarers Oxfordshire is the new organisation for carers run by AgeUK and Oxfordshire County Council. Telephone 0845 050 7666 or email to: Email: carersoxfordshire@oxfordshire.gov.uk or go to: www.oxoncarers.org.uk YoungDementia UKYoungDementia UK, formally known as The Clive Project, is an Oxfordshire Charity for younger people with dementia, has two teams of support workers:
Contact details: YoungDementia UK Tel: 01993 776295 Support GroupsA number of support groups exist, in and around Oxfordshire, that enable carers and family members of people with dementia to meet and talk to other people who know what it's like for them. To view these groups, go to the support groups and carers centres page. GPAs 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 for treating depression, these not only include medication, but also referral to services such as counseling. 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 CPN)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. Dementia Advisers - Age UK Oxfordshire & Oxford HealthBrenda
Green and Sue Westwood work with the Community Mental Health Teams (Oxford Health) to provide support, advice and education to carers of those with dementia via Memory Clinics across the county. Brenda and Sue also facilitate a number of Carers Support Groups in Oxfordshire specifically for dementia. Contact: Sue Westwood Mobile: 07722 355266 suewestwood@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk
Brenda Green TherapistThere
are a number of trained and registered therapists in Oxfordshire. Contact: Phone:
0844 8030 240 National HelplinesAdmiral Nurse HelplineAdmiral
Nurses are specialist dementia nurses. They can provide practical advice,
emotional support, information and the benefit of their skills and
experience. Advice
line: 020 7874 7210 Email:info@fordementia.org.uk Gay and Lesbian Carers NetworkThe
Alzheimer's Society Gay and Lesbian Carers Network
is a telephone helpline service staffed by gay men and lesbian women. These
trained and skilled volunteers are able to offer a listening ear. Contact details: Lesbian
and Gay Carer Network Tel: 0845 3000 336 (weekdays 8.30am - 6.30pm) If
you would like to talk to someone, phone: Bruce: 01865 847471 Email: lgbtsupport@alzheimers.org.uk The SamaritansThe Samaritans provide confidential emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. You don't have to be suicidal to call. Samaritans are there for you, if you're worried about something, feel upset or confused, or you just want to talk to someone. Tel:
08457 90 90 90 Samaritans also has local branches which you can find online, or in the phone book. Elder Abuse HelplineAction
on Elder Abuse provides a National, Freephone Helpline for anyone concerned
in any way about the abuse of older people. Elder abuse is
defined by Action on Elder Abuse as: 'A single or repeated act or lack of
appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an
expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person'. Tel:
0808 808 8141 (Freephone helpline)
The Relatives and Residents AssociationThe Relatives & Residents Association is a national organisation working to promote the well-being of older residents of care homes through:
More information is available on The Relatives & Residents Association website. Helpline:
020 7359 8136 CruseWhen
somebody who has dementia dies the feelings of 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. Day
by Day helpline: 0870 167 1677 Email:helpline@crusebereavementcare.org.uk
Further Information and Factsheets
Last
updated: 6th February 2012 |