The Dementia Guide
An excellent starting point. Available free from the Alzheimer’s society and produced in conjunction with the NHS . You can read or watch video extracts online at www.alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaguide or call 0300 303 5933.
Alzheimer’s Society (www.alzheimers.org.uk)
• A large variety of downloadable information sheets
• Talking point – online forum for all affected by dementia
• Index of local services across the country
• Index of helpful videos on YouTube.
• Various publications including ‘How to help people with dementia: A guide for customer-facing staff’
Alzheimer’s Society 7 day helpline: 0300 222 1122
Dementia friends (www.dementiafriends.org.uk)
Go online to find an interactive session near you (usually about an hour) or to train as a Dementia Champion.
Dementiauk.org (www.dementiauk.org)
Useful online information, they also provide Admiral nurses in some parts of the UK. Helpline – 0845 257 9406
Age UK (www.ageuk.org.uk)
Age UK often provide local dementia services. They also publish a wide variety of fact sheets, especially on benefits, care, legal matters etc.
Mind (www.mind.org.uk)
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. You can call their infoline on 0300 123 3393.
Carers UK (www.carersuk.org)
Carers UK provides advice, information and support for carers. You can call their advice line on 0808 808 7777.
The Butterfly Scheme (www.butterflyscheme.org.uk)
The Butterfly Scheme provides a system of hospital care for people living with dementia or who simply find that their memory isn’t as reliable as it used to be.
BOOKS
Contented Dementia (Oliver James)
A key book in developing Simeon’s Watch which has readable practical strategies. Some family carers find it extremely helpful, others do not like the approach.
Dear Dementia: The Laughter & The Tears (Ian Donaghy)
Short but profound with illustrated observations, also suitable for those with dementia.
Between remembering and forgetting (James Woodward)
The spiritual dimensions of dementia.
Pictures to share (www.picturestoshare.co.uk)
A range of beautifully illustrated conversation starters for those with more advanced dementia.
Where Memories Go (Sally Magnasson)
Scottish broadcaster and author Sally Magnusson’s bestselling memoir of caring (with her two sisters) for their mother Mamie during many years of living with dementia. Beautifully written with both an understanding of faith and also the skills and enquiry of a good journalist.
Still Alice (Lisa Genova)
A novel. An excellent story which gets inside the head of Alice, a professor with early onset rapid dementia, with different reactions from her family. (also an Oscar wining 2014 film staring Julianne Moore).
And Still the Music Plays (Graham Stokes)
Using compelling stories, clinical psychologist Graham Stokes draws on his memories of people with dementia he has met to bring us all a greater understanding of the condition and of why some behave in the way they do.
Keeper (Andrea Gillies)
Andrea Gillies, a writer and mother of three, moves to the far north of Scotland and takes on the care of her mother-in-law Nancy, who is in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
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