Dementia Awareness

My name is Emily Ind, and I work as a Care Coordinator for the Primary Care Network (PCN).

In my role, I have the privilege of supporting many patients living with dementia, along with their families. I dedicate time to meet with each individual to create a personalised care plan. These plans are rich with details about the person’s life—past and present—including their interests, preferences, previous occupations, significant relationships, and places they’ve lived. This information is vital in delivering truly person-centred care and ensuring that each individual feels heard and valued.

By taking the time to understand what matters most to each person, I can identify unmet needs and suggest activities that align with their interests. My goal is to support individuals in maintaining their independence and continue to engage in the things they enjoy for as long as possible.

I also provide guidance and emotional support to families and informal (unpaid) carers, helping them navigate the challenges that often come with a dementia diagnosis.

A diagnosis of dementia can be deeply emotional and overwhelming, both for the individual and their loved ones. However, there are several key pieces of advice that can help families approach this journey with greater resilience and understanding:

• Educate Yourself: Knowledge is power. Gaining a solid understanding of dementia—its symptoms, progression, and available resources—empowers you to plan ahead and provide informed, compassionate care.

• Seek Support: You're not alone. Connecting with local groups, online forums, and dementia-focused organisations can provide practical advice, emotional reassurance, and a sense of community.

• Practice Self-Care: Caring for someone with dementia can be physically and emotionally demanding. Make time for yourself, accept help from others, and explore respite options to avoid burnout.

• Prioritise Quality of Life: Even with the challenges of dementia, moments of joy, connection, and meaning are still possible. Encourage activities that bring happiness, reflect on cherished memories, and promote autonomy where possible.

• Communicate with Compassion: As communication becomes more difficult, patience and empathy are essential. Use clear, simple language, maintain eye contact, and offer reassurance. Emotions are real, even if words sometimes fail.

• Plan for the Future: Discuss and document legal, financial, and care preferences early on. This might include establishing power of attorney and exploring long-term care options to ensure that everyone’s wishes are respected.

• Celebrate Small Wins: Every moment of connection matters. Whether it’s a smile, a conversation, or a task completed independently, acknowledging these victories helps maintain hope and dignity.

• Be Flexible and Adaptive: Dementia is a journey that requires ongoing adjustment. Staying open to change and focusing on the present moment can help ease anxiety and foster more meaningful experiences.

Caring for someone with dementia is undoubtedly challenging, but it can also be deeply rewarding. With the right support, information, and a compassionate mindset, it’s possible to navigate this path with strength, purpose, and love.

If you would like any support, please contact your surgery and ask to speak with your care coordinator, they will be able to provide the support as outlined above. In the meantime, here are some other useful links and places to get further information:

Support with Dementia

If Dementia support is needed, there are local music, friendship and exercise groups available through Wiltshire Alzheimer’s Support. Please contact us so we can make a referral for you.

 www.alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk Tel 01225 776481

Movement and Music Together – Fridays 11am-12.15pm Seated, standing or wheelchair friendly. Bouverie Hall. Contact: Sylvie Clayden. Tel 07770 417013

Music and Movement for the Mind – through Alzheimer's Support (alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk) Alternate weeks of singing and gentle movement in a supportive group setting. Mildenhall village Hall Tuesdays 10.30am – 12pm. Tel 01380 739055; Kennet Valley Hall, Lockeridge Thursday 10.45am.

Pewsey Memory Café – 2pm-3.30pm third Monday of every month. Open to over 55’s on their own or with carers. Bouverie Hall, Pewsey. Contact: Suzie Brew. Tel 07802 444022

East Grafton Memory Café – 2pm-3.30pm First Monday of every month. Open to over 55’s on their own or with carers. Coronation Hall, East Grafton. Contact: Juliet Bonser. Tel 07979 757784

Muddy Boots Kennet - 2nd and 4th Monday of the month 10.30pm – 12pm, various locations across the area. Contact: Fiona Jones Tel 01380 739055 book your place online www.alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk or e-mail office@alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk 

 Alzheimer’s Society is a national charity that has lots of information and support ideas, you can read online or order booklets and leaflets: www.alzheimers.org.uk Tel 0333 150 3456. Dementia Action Week (19-25th May 2025) is Alzheimer's Society's annual awareness and call to action campaign, this year the focus is on raising awareness of the importance of an early diagnosis.

Hungerford Memory Worship

30 Minute informal church service, everyone is welcome and especially those living with dementia and their carers’. Traditional Hymns, a Bible reading, prayer and a Thought-for-the-Day, followed by drinks and biscuits. 2nd Thursday of every month. The Methodist Church, Bridge Street, RG17 0EH. Contact: Karen Tel 07444 851606

Wiltshire Police wristband for Dementia

Police wristbands are being offered to people with Dementia so they can be found quickly if they go missing. The bracelet stores information including the wearer’s name, age, hometown, and next of Kin contact details which can be accessed by scanning the bracelet with a smartphone. The bracelets are available through:

Wiltshire Bobby Van, Tel 01225 256927

Alzheimer’s Support Tel 01225 776481

Carer Support Wiltshire Tel 0800 368 7579

This link provides information on the Herbert Protocol which is a form that can be filled in to support the patient by giving vital information, if for some reason, they became lost or confused Herbert Protocol | Wiltshire Police 

If you would like information on a ‘This is Me’ document or getting a sunflower lanyard to help in a situation where the patient is an unfamiliar setting please get in touch with your surgery's care coordinator.

Carer Support

Please let your surgery or care coordinator know if you care for someone at home. This makes you an informal carer and extra support may be available for you as the carer. Your surgery can register you as an informal carer and refer you for more support if you would like it

Tel 01380 710300 Home - Carers Together Wiltshire 

Carer Support Wiltshire offer support locally to informal carers. Tel 0800 181 4118

 Carer Support Wiltshire

You can also call Carer Support Wiltshire for any benefits checks, debt advice and budget planning, cost of living support, CV writing. The financial wellbeing officers can offer face to face appointments in one of their wellbeing hubs (our closest is at the Marlborough community and youth centre). They can also offer telephone and home visits. Tel 01380 819576 admin@carersupportwiltshire.co.uk or Money and Benefits | Carer Support Wiltshire 

Carer Support Wiltshire have also produced a list of useful apps including health and care apps, accessibility apps, organisation and lifestyle apps, and Mental health and wellbeing apps and condition specific apps. Helpful apps for carers | Carer Support Wiltshire

If you care for a family member there is also support available here: UK | Carers UK Tel 0207 378 4999

Help and advice for finances and benefits can also be provided through Wiltshire Carers project. Signposting - Benefits money grants - Advice - Carers Project – Wiltshire Citizens Advice Bureau - WPCC (wiltshireparentcarercouncil.co.uk) 

 Tel 01249 474064

Carers Together, Wiltshire is a partnership between Age UK Wiltshire, Community First, Alzheimer’s Support, Wiltshire service users’ network, Citizens Advice Wiltshire and Wessex Community Action. They work together in partnership to support people who are providing unpaid care to another person, offering a range of support services, such as: Information and advice, Carer Groups, Carer Assessments, activities and trips, referrals for support, Carer ID cards, coaching, training and peer support.

Home - Carers Together Wiltshire Tel 01380 710300 enquiries@carerstogetherwiltshire.org.uk 

Link for Carer’s ID/emergency card Carer ID Card - Wiltshire Carers

Mobilise online is an organisation that supports informal carers who might be struggling to find support. They can help with anything from finances to practical help. From managing mealtimes to continence, from hospital discharge to finding time for yourself. Although Carer support Wiltshire is our local provider Mobilise online have lots of information and guidance on their website which you may find useful.

Online support for unpaid carers | Mobilise (mobiliseonline.co.uk)

With thanks to Emily for writing this blog.

Please do contact your surgery if you would like to discuss any dementia concerns.