Dementia For Dummies - UK

Chapter 13

Sourcing Help: Working Your Way Around the System

In This Chapter

Identifying who’s who in the NHS and where to find them

Recognising what social services departments have to offer

Getting help from dementia charities and voluntary organisations

Being passed from pillar to post and from department to department is the last thing you need when you’re in a difficult situation and seeking help. It’s intensely frustrating and also increases your feeling of helplessness. When you’re knee-deep in the many physical, social and psychological difficulties that dementia involves, you need to feel supported and that you have somewhere to turn for help.

Fortunately, a whole host of professionals working in the NHS, social services and the voluntary sector will be only too pleased to step in and give you the support you need, from first diagnosis to the final stages of the disease. In this chapter I take a look at who these people are, where you can find them, and what sort of services they can offer both you and the person you’re caring for.

Starting at the Doctor’s Surgery

Your local doctor’s surgery or health centre is likely to be your first port of call when seeking help. Here’s ...