Help needed for dementia carers in Cheshire

Leading dementia charity highlights advice and support available for the army of heroic carers across Cheshire.

This Carers Rights Day (Thursday 23 November) Alzheimer’s Society wants people caring for loved ones with dementia in Cheshire to know their rights and get the support they need.

900,000 people are living with dementia in the UK, supported by 700,000 unpaid carers. In the North West there are currently 100,000 people living with dementia, with that figure set to rise to more than 133,000 by 2030.

Research commissioned by Alzheimer’s Society earlier this year revealed that, in the North West, 35% of unpaid dementia carers felt that they were losing their identity.

On average, three quarters of unpaid carers surveyed spent over four working days (30 hours) a week providing emotional and practical support for their loved ones.

The impact on carers and their families is huge, with many sacrificing time with their partner and children to care for loved ones, and over 51% of carers surveyed saying it impacted their relationships. With Christmas coming up, the pressure on carers to do more also increases with additional family commitments.

Mandy Gough, Alzheimer’s Society’s Local Service Manager for Cheshire said:

“One in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime. Finding yourself caring for someone you love can be a daunting prospect, particularly as it changes the relationship.

“Our Dementia Advisers are here to help people understand dementia, get support by guiding them through the complicated maze of health and social care services, and plan for the future.

“We’re on hand to offer expert advice, tailored information, and emotional support so people can adjust to, and make the most of, their life with dementia. If you’re caring for someone with the condition, it’s important you know your rights as you may be eligible for some benefits. We can talk you through this and how to claim.”

Anyone who cares for a person with dementia in the community may be entitled to an assessment of their needs as a carer. This is called a carer’s assessment. It should identify what your needs are and work out what type of support would meet your needs. If you meet certain eligibility criteria, the local authority may pay for your support. Even if the person you are caring for is paying for their own care (self-funding), you may still be able to receive support.

If you’re caring for someone with dementia and need help, Alzheimer’s Society is here for you. Call the Support Line on 0333 150 3456 for emotional support and practical advice or visit alzheimers.org.uk/support to find local services and the Dementia Support Forum.

•       Carers Rights Day is an annual day organised by Carers UK to raise awareness of caring, helping to identify carers and signposting them to information, advice and support.

•       Regional Carer stats are from the Yonder survey of 437 current carers and 566 former carers of people with dementia, put out to field between 27-30 July 2023 (full survey available on request)

•       The research report by the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre at LSE is available here. The analysis in the report builds on the Modelling Outcome and Cost Impacts of Interventions for Dementia (MODEM) study which was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). Responsibility for the research report rests with the authors and not the ESRC, NIHR or Alzheimer’s Society.