Family carers are struggling with a care gap, says Dementia UK

A report by Dementia UK has identified, through calls to their helpline and conversations with Admiral Nurses, that dementia carers are struggling in specific areas of careHaving someone to talk to for advice and support is vital, and nowhere is this clearer than in the calls that Dementia UK’s helpline receives.They’ve put together a report based on the calls and identified that many family carers are struggling to get the support they need from their local health and social services. This leads to them ringing up the Dementia UK telephone helpline to speak to one of Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses, essentially plugging a gap in care provision.The report also discovered that carers are taking on more responsibility for caring, and this is having an impact on their own health. Nearly a third of calls (31%) were about the negative effect care was having on their personal wellbeing including frustration, distress and exhaustion.Over a quarter of calls (28%) included a complaint about health and social care services and support, but other topics being brought up included living arrangements, medication, self-care, how to get a diagnosis of dementia, safety issues, eating problems, activities, communication, and finance.Hilda Hayo, Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO of Dementia UK, says:‘Family carers are increasingly turning to Dementia UK’s Admiral Nursing Direct helpline to gain the advice and support that they are unable to obtain from their local health and social care services, due to funding or specialist skills shortage.’And it’s also why Dementia UK announced at the end of last week that they would be extending the opening hours for their helpline to cover weekends as well as weekdays, and from 3 May, the hours will be extended from 9am until 9pm for every week day, not just Wednesday and Thursday (see below for more information).For support and advice, call 0800 888 6678.Dementia UK Admiral Nurse Helpline hoursMonday 9:00am – 5:00pmTuesday 9:00am – 5:00pmWednesday 9:00am – 5:00pm, 6:00pm – 9:00pmThursday 9:00am – 5:00pm, 6:00pm – 9:00pmFriday 9:00am – 5:00pmSaturday 9:00am – 5:00pmSunday 9:00am – 5:00pm