Supporting carers of people with dementia

A series of blogs for #CarersWeek

Gwen Oates is a memory support worker and part of the Armley Integrated Neighbourhood Team, a partnership between LYPFT and the Alzheimer’s Society. She’s been in this role for 5 years and under more usual circumstances her role involves her visiting carers, friends or relatives after their loved one has been diagnosed with dementia and also sometimes offering pre-diagnostic support.

She would help signpost or introduce them to sources of support and information based on their needs such as those provided by Carers Leeds or other organisations such as Bramley Elderly Action.

Her working life has changed since the pandemic started and Gwen misses being able to go out to visit people. Much of her work takes place over the phone now making regular companion calls to carers to check in with them and help find online information and support.

We talked more about what supporting carers has been like during the pandemic.

Q – If you usually run a carers groups has this continued? How have you done this and what has it been like – good or bad?

Gwen: “I don’t run groups but have informed people that there was a group chat via Carers Leeds”

Q – What have carers said about not being able to visit their loved ones?

Gwen: “There has been frustration about not being able to see loved ones and understandably people find it hard to accept and adjust. It adds to feelings of isolation.”

Q – How have you helped carers/friends/relatives and their loved ones stay in touch with each other?

Gwen: “I’ve suggested using WhatsApp, Zoom, Duo or Skype.”

Q – What might you have done to celebrate Carers Week if we weren’t in the middle of a pandemic?

Gwen: “Finding good and up to date information is sometimes a challenge, and publicity is not perhaps as effective as it could be but it’s hard to know where or how to increase it so carers can find it. Leeds Older People’s Forum and Leeds Council have put information on their website but do people including working carers know where to find it? Perhaps we could have promoted information during the week.”