I am caring for someone with dementia

Chiltern Compass is community orientated and aims to meet the needs of all ethnic groups and beliefs in preparation for end of life. It is a charitable company based in Amersham and Chesham, serving much of the Chilterns.

Chiltern Compass networks with other organisations involved in end of life care to provide as comprehensive advisory service as possible.

The team are a group of active and retired healthcare professionals and spiritual leaders. They have recognised the need to address the issues in helping others in preparation for dying and organ donation. Other volunteers support Chiltern Compass at events and promoting our objectives.

Chiltern Compass’ main aim is to encourage people to consider and talk through the issues, both practical and emotional, concerning the end of their lives. Talking with others often helps reduce the stress and fear, we are all facing the same issues.

How do we do this:

• Organising workshops to provide a supportive and safe environment for people to discuss their worries and start planning
• Visiting community organisations and societies to talk and encourage them to understand the issues and how to support each other
• Doing presentations for professional and caring groups to help them communicate and address end of life issues for those they care for
• Provide booklets and manuals as a frame work to guide people through the practicalities of preparing for the end of life

For more information visit the Chiltern Compass website.

Carers Bucks has a core team of support workers who provide telephone and email support throughout the week and face-to-face support at its monthly carers support groups – this could be anything from emergency planning, information about assistive technology in the home, signposting to benefits advice, offering a listening ear and much more.

In addition, Carers Bucks has a team working within the four hospitals in Buckinghamshire which are, Stoke Mandeville, Wycombe, Amersham and Wexham Park. Their role is to provide practical and emotional support to carers whose loved-one is in hospital.

This includes advising on hospital processes and discharge planning as well as offering a safe, confidential space to discuss the caring role.

Within the adult carer service, Carers Bucks has team members who are able to offer up to six home visits to carers aged 75 and above, who may benefit from some more targeted, intensive support. This could be due to an older carer having their own health challenges which may be an obstacle to attending a support group or receiving telephone support.

Carers Bucks provides opportunities for carers to meet other people in similar situations at support groups and also at social events in Carers Week and during the festive period.

Whether someone has been caring for a loved one for a long period of time, or whether someone is new to their caring role, the Carers Bucks team is there to support.

If you are a caregiver for a person living with dementia, there is a risk of something happening to you that will prevent you from communicating that you have a vulnerable person at home.

Keeping a completed emergency care plan connected to their digital medical record will provide easy access to this information.

Store an emergency care plan with MedicAlert.

For more contact:

Website: Carers Bucks

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 0300 777 2722