Alzheimer's Society and partners launch tips helping people with dementia to continue living at home

With 83 per cent of people with dementia wanting to stay in their own home, the Alzheimer’s Society and partners have launched a set of tips to make sure people are supported in achieving this.

It has been discovered that more than one in ten people living with dementia are moving unnecessarily into a care home too early, and a lack of support and awareness of where to go for help has been blamed for the 57,000 people being wrongly moved throughout the UK.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive at Alzheimer’s Society said:“Home means something special to all of us. Many people living with dementia have been forced to leave their safe-havens which is unacceptable.

"By seeking support early, people living with dementia may avoid reaching a crisis point unnecessarily which results in them moving into long term care.”

In a bid to tackle this problem, the Alzheimer’s Society, Argos, Homebase and its sister charities in Scotland have joined forces to help thousands of people with dementia stay in their own home and continue enjoying a good quality of life for as long as possible through a new set of tips for living well with dementia at home.

By providing knowledge about the kind of help people can access in their own homes by home care providers and the care services available, it is hoped that people will feel more confident about continuing to live with dementia in their own homes for as long as possible.

Richard McCourt, Alzheimer’s Society ambassador, actor and presenter said: “I’m so pleased my mother was able to be cared for at home but it was only possible with help from dedicated services. If you or a loved one have recently received a diagnosis or just don’t know where to turn, I urge you to find your local service and read the Alzheimer's Society’s top tips on living with dementia at home.”

The National Dementia Helpline has observed that they deal most commonly with calls from people who do not know how to talk to a loved one about their memory problems, and so the tips for living well with dementia at home will also offer advice for the families of people with dementia.

Alzheimer’s top tips provides support for people worried about a family member who is having problems with their memory, by suggesting the type of language and questions to use to start a conversation about dementia and a step by step approach to building a plan for loved ones.

It is hoped that the advice will make it easier for people to have a conversation with someone if they are concerned about their memory, after a survey revealed that currently 50 per cent of people do not feel confident in approaching the subject.

Peter from Cardiff, who cares for his wife said: “Being able to care for my wife in our own house is very important. Day to day life brings a sense of normality. Living at home and being cared for by me means she is in familiar surroundings and helps her feel comfortable, independent and secure.”

As well as the creation of the help and tips, over the next two years Argos and Homebase have pledged to help Alzheimer’s Society and its sister charities in Scotland to raise money to fund extra services which will help boost the lives of people with Dementia such as Singing for the Brain, therapy groups, Dementia Cafes and Dementia support workers.

Mr Hunt continued: “The money raised through this partnership with Argos and Homebase will help us enable them to live at home for longer, maintaining the lifestyle and independence which makes them who they are.”

Through volunteering and getting involved with dementia services in their local area, staff will also be positively helping people to continue to live at home with dementia, and enjoy an active life in their community.

Amy Whidburn, head of corporate responsibility at Alzheimer’s Society said: “We’re thrilled to be supporting people living with dementia all around the UK and Ireland. It’s a cause close to the hearts of many Argos and Homebase colleagues. There’s no place like home and we’re proud to be able to help more people stay in their own homes for longer.”

for more information visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/hometips