Norfolk's first Admiral Nurse returns to support families of dementia through pandemic

Admiral Nurse Zena Aldridge has returned to the Central Norfolk Admiral Nurse team where she first began in 2014 to help support families through the COVID-19 pandemnic.

Dementia affects whole families. The physical, psychological, practical and emotional impact of caring for a family member with dementia can be stressful.

Ms Aldridge decided to return at a time when an increasing number of families with dementia are struggling to cope with lockdown making whole families feel isolated and in need of advice.

’Families with dementia can feel vulnerable' which 'increase feelings of isolation'

Ms Aldridge said: “The arrival of coronavirus has caused a fundamental shift in our day to day lives. It’s so important to adapt and help out however you can.

“Families with dementia can feel particularly vulnerable at this time, as normal support networks shut down. This can increase feelings of isolation and distress which families affected by the condition already face.”

According to Dementia UK, 40 per cent of carers in the UK suffer from anxiety and depression when looking after their loved ones.

For two days a week, alongside her role at Dementia UK, Ms Aldridge will be supporting families in the local area ensuring they have a supply of essential items as well as checking on people who may be feeling isolated.

She will respond to calls where families are experiencing a significant amount of distress sand will answer a number of calls from health and social care professionals who are looking to find more information about the implications of coronavirus for people with dementia, and how best they can support them.

Ms Aldridge said: “It’s so important for me to be able to return to the Admiral Nurse team in Norfolk. The compassion and willingness of all of the team to help families affected by dementia however much they can is a shining beacon of positivity in what are very trying times. It’s great to be able to support them during this difficult time too.

“There absolutely needs to be a coordinated effort, identifying gaps in support which will ultimately help the wider health and social care systems in supporting more families in need – this is the essence of what the Admiral Nurse team in Central Norfolk does, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

Ms Aldridge's return is supported by Dementia UK, NHS Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

'For many family carers, this means they will get no respite at all'

Chief executive and chief Admiral Nurse, Dr. Hilda Hayo said: “Families with dementia are feeling particularly vulnerable and challenged by the evolving situation, and the confinement measures now in place.

“Regular support networks such as carer groups, day centres and activities have shut down. Friends and other relatives are being advised not to visit.

"For many family carers, this means they will get no respite at all – and caring for someone with dementia can be a physically and emotionally challenging, 24-hour-a-day job.

“The person with dementia may experience increased agitation and confusion, as their routines change."

When things get challenging or difficult for families who are caring for someone with dementia, Admiral Nurses work with them, understanding their unique situation and providing strategies to help them cope.

Dr Hayo Said: “If you know that someone who lives near you has dementia, please offer to help them during this difficult time. Please call the dementia specialist nurses on Dementia UK’s Helpline if you are not sure how.”

’Matthew is like my rock - he takes all the worry and stress out of things’

Matthew Burns is an Admiral Nurse and supports around 40 carers in southwest Yorkshire. He said: “There are a lot of people out there who are lost and really struggling with caring for someone with dementia and part of my job, the bit I really enjoy is being able to get out there and give that person some hope.

“you get to be a big part in some people’s lives. It makes me really happy and excited to be doing the work I am doing.”

“My role has been made possible through charitable donations through Dementia UK.”

One of the people Matthew supports is Sue and Geoff. Geoff was diagnosed with dementia and then had a stroke which impacted what was already a difficult time for his wife and carer Sue.

Sue said: “There have been issues with medication like tablets that didn’t suit. I didn’t have to think twice about it because Matthew rang the GP and the memory clinic, he sorted prescriptions out and things just happened.

“Matthew is like my rock really, he’s just there. He takes all the worry and stress out of things.”

The nurses work across a range of care settings within the community, care homes, hospitals and hospices.

There is also Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline, the only nurse-led helpline in the country which is available to anyone with any questions or concerns around dementia.

For more information about Dementia UK Admiral Nurses click here