Living with Dementia

What if I have Dementia?

A diagnosis of dementia usually comes as a shock. However for some people there may also be a sense of relief, that the symptoms they have been experiencing are due to a disease or condition for which help may be available.

Useful Information

The Alzheimer's Society have produced a very helpful factsheet, that suggests things you can do that will help to make life easier and more enjoyable, both now and in the future What if I have dementia?

There is a monthly magazine Living with Dementia, which is free to members of the Alzheimer's Society but can be downloaded free from their website irrespective of membership. They have information about advances in research as well as general issues relating to living with dementia.

Local Support Groups for people living with dementia

In Oxfordshire there are many groups that offer support and information for carers of those with dementia.  It may also be possible that at some of these groups there may be a separat facility to take the person you are caring for too, whilst you attend the group.  Contact names and number are shown for each group and a list can be found under the section Carers Centres and Support Groups. 

There are also a small number of social groups which you can go along to with the person you are caring from. 

The ISIS lunch club is on of these groups and they meet every 6-8 weeks in a Church Hall in Headington, Oxford. People attend from all over Oxfordshire.  There is NO charge for lunch and entertainment is provided.  For details of this group you will need to contact Meg Barbour on 01865 872433. 

There is also a similar social group in the Banbury area, run at regular intervals.  Please contact either Shirley Baker or Frances Claydon from the Alzheimer's Society for further details of the next event on 01295 255957.  

Additional support is also offered throughtout Oxfordshire from a growing number of successful Memory Cafés.  You are invited to go along to a Memory Café with the person you are caring for.  An informal chat over tea and biscuits is offered as well as an opportunity for the person you are caring for to be welcomed and meet others.  

Please refer to the section Carers Centres and Support Groups for details of where these are held.   

Support Online

The Alzheimer's Society has several online forums, where you can post questions and relevant comments for other people who are also living with dementia

Last updated: 31st January 2012