Nationwide and Dementia UK’s free face-to-face clinics are returning to Nationwide’s Boston branch this March, offering specialist support in a safe, comfortable and private space for people to discuss any aspect of dementia.
Hosted by Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses, the clinics are open to anyone impacted by dementia, offering life-changing support to families and individuals in the area. The clinics will take place on the 3rd and 5th March, and appointments can be booked via Dementia UK’s website here.
The clinics will offer practical and emotional advice on all aspects of dementia – from worries about symptoms through to getting a diagnosis and understanding how the condition can progress.
Ahead of the appointments, Dementia UK, the specialist dementia nursing charity, has shared tips on how to look after yourself while caring for a loved one with dementia.
Nearly one million people are estimated to be living with dementia in the UK today. With more people than ever taking on the role of caring for a friend or family member living with the condition, shining a light on the ways in which a person can look after their emotional and physical wellbeing has never been more important.
To help carers look after their own health and wellbeing, Dementia UK has issued a list of tips and advice:
- Reach out to family and friends – take full advantage of wider support networks, whether that be asking friends or family members if they can come by to help with the kids, chores, or simply to have a chat. At the same time, it can allow you to maintain relationships with the people close to you
- Find support services – research the support available for unpaid carers and people living with dementia. You may want to look into requesting a Carer’s Assessment from Social Services, as you may be entitled to respite care for the person with dementia, or other accommodations to help you in your caring role
- Take time for yourself – while it is easier said than done, it is important to take time for yourself as a carer wherever possible, as your needs often fall to the bottom of the list. That might include visiting friends or doing a hobby, it can also mean making sure you’re on top of health checks so you are mentally and physically well. It can be difficult to support someone else when you are not at your best
- Enjoy time with the person you care for - as the person’s dementia progresses, you may find that your caring role overtakes your relationship with them as a spouse, family member or friend. But while your relationship will change, it can still bring you both enjoyment. Rather than focusing only on the care you have to provide, try to find activities that you can still do together to strengthen your connection
- Talk to your employer – if you are a carer working a full or part time job, it can be helpful to speak with your employer about your caring responsibilities and to discuss flexible working options. Your workplace might be able to offer you flexibility and support with your current circumstances
Caring for a person with dementia can be physically and mentally demanding, but it’s important to know that you’re not alone – Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses are there to support the whole family.
The clinics in Boston are part of Nationwide’s social impact strategy, Fairer Futures, which addresses four of the UK’s biggest social issues through charity partnerships – family poverty (Action for Children), youth homelessness (Centrepoint), dementia (Dementia UK) and cancer (The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity). Nationwide is funding 30 dementia specialist Admiral Nurses and is hosting clinics in 200 branches across the country.
Lesley Potter, Admiral Nurse at Dementia UK, said:<“We’re looking forward to returning to Boston to offer support and advice to families affected by dementia in the area. Since the launch of our clinic programme, in partnership with Nationwide Building Society, we have been able to support thousands of people across the country with the lifeline of an Admiral Nurse, helping to ensure no one faces dementia alone.”
Charlotte Kensett, Director of Customer Experience and Social Impact for Nationwide, said: “Dementia impacts millions of families and that’s why we’re incredibly proud to have brought life-changing support into 200 of our branches and helped more than 30,000 people through our partnership with Dementia UK. As a mutual we believe we have a role to play in strengthening the communities we serve and supporting those most in need. Through our social impact strategy, Nationwide Fairer Futures, we’re committed to changing hundreds of thousands of lives for the better.”
To book a confidential and in-person appointment with an Admiral Nurse in Boston, visit: https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/how-we-can-support-you/admiral-nurse-clinics/nationwide/?misc=media.
The clinics will visit Boston, 15 Market Place PE21 6EN – 3rd and 5th March
