After someone dies there are a great many people to tell, procedures to follow and things to arrange.
Read MoreI care for someone with dementia
Birmingham Carers Hub offers a range of support to those who look after someone living with dementia. We have three delivery partners (Age Concern Birmingham, Age UK Birmingham and Dementia Carers Count) who together form the Dementia Carers Hub. With the expertise of our health professionals, trained advisors and welcoming group leads, you will be guided and supported throughout your caring journey.
Information and Advice Service
Age Concern Birmingham’s qualified Dementia Advisors, provide specialist one-to-one support, Wellbeing support, Carer’s Assessments, referral to groups & workshops including information & advice. You will also receive a FREE Carers card from the point of registration and throughout your caring journey. Benefit from:
- An allocated advisor
- Assistance with obtaining Power of Attorney and will advice
- Support with Blue Badge applications
- Advocacy service including support with Social Services,GP’s, Memory Assessment Teams, District Nurses, Occupational Health Therapy etc
- Support with respite care, care homes and care agencies
- Ongoing health and wellbeing checks
- Support and information to access dementia clinics
- Referrals to the Bereavement Service
- Specialist advice and information on explaining dementia, behaviour, infection control, eating and drinking and end of life care
- Statutory and Enhanced Carer’s Assessment, to help establish what support is required
For information, help and advice, call 0333 006 9711 and ask to speak to one of our Specialist Dementia Carer Advisors, or email: dementiacarers@birminghamcarershub.org.uk
Carer Awareness Sessions – online and In-Person
Whether the person that you love has just had a diagnosis or you have been caring for someone with dementia for a long time, there is always something new to learn. If you are armed with as much knowledge about dementia as possible it will help those with dementia live a happier life and also make your role as a Carer easier too.
Dementia Carers Count (DCC) provides expert advice exclusively to Carers so you can freely and confidentially share your experiences. If you are a Carer registered with Birmingham Carers Hub you can access FREE online and face-to-face learning sessions on different topics (don’t worry, there’s no test) and have an opportunity to chat with other Carers. Take a look at our What’s On page for more details. The sessions can also be booked free of charge on Eventbrite. You can also access the Virtual Carers Centre resource any time, day or night.
Dementia Carers Hub Support Groups
Looking after somebody with dementia can feel exhausting and you may feel quite lonely especially if the dynamics of the relationship with the person that you provide care for has changed. Meeting with other people in the same position as you can be a great comfort, it can provide a period of respite and an opportunity to socialise and make new friends. Depending on your preference or circumstances, you can meet other Carers at a venue near you or have the convenience of meeting online from the comfort of your own home.
Come and join your local Dementia Carers Hub support group with free refreshments at various venues across Birmingham. We know that being a Carer can be difficult. You are not alone, these free support groups provide the chance to meet others on a similar journey as well as directing you to relevant and practical support. This is a time just for you so please make alternative care arrangements. Take a look at our What’s On Page for the dates and times of your nearest support group.
We will be launching more Carers Groups across the city. If you do not have a Dementia group near you and would like one, please contact info@birminghamcarershub.org.uk
Dementia Carer Information & Advice Drop-in
Age Concern Birmingham hosts a Dementia Carer Information & Advice Drop-in for Carers who support a loved one living with dementia. No booking is rquired, just turn up! See details below:
The first Tuesday of the Month 10am- 12 noon – Communitea Cafe in Boldmere, 76-78 Boldmere Road, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham B73 5TJ.
Every Friday 10am-12 noon- Hawkesley Community Centre, 51 Edgewood Rd, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B38 9RN
Every Friday 9:30am-12 noon- Moorfield Hall, Hartshill Rd, Birmingham, B34 6QX
The Birmingham Carers Hub Specialist Dementia Advisors will be there to provide advice or just to offer a friendly listening ear to Carers. To find out more call the friendly team on 0333 006 9711.
Herbert Protocol Form
George Herbert, who the initiative is named after, was a Second World War veteran and had dementia. He died while he went missing, trying to find his childhood home. The Herbert Protocol is a form that is aimed to try and protect people who are living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. It can be filled in by Carers, family or friends of a person who could go missing at any time. Further information is available here and you can download a copy of the form that can be completed either by hand or electronically.
Filling out a form will save you from having to remember information at a stressful time if the person does go missing. Sitting down with the person with dementia while you fill in the form will make them think about places they used to live and work. This could also help them to remember things that they like to talk about. When you have filled out the form, you should put it somewhere that is safe, but where you can get it very quickly should the police need it.
Helpful Products
There are lots of useful products that are designed to help people with dementia and their Carers to be more comfortable in their homes, whilst supporting independence and safety. The Alzheimer’s Society has some advice on how to choose the right product as well as a range of helpful products. These include reminder clocks to keep track of time, easy-to-use telephones and simple music players, games and activities that support enjoyment, independence, communication and quality of life.
Their products are tested and reviewed by people living with dementia and their Carers. For example, one Carer panel looked at a range of products that are designed to help people with dementia know what time it is and when they need to do things. Read about their review here. People with dementia and family and friends buying on their behalf can purchase many products at the cheaper VAT relief price. Download the catalogue and take a look.
Things to occupy the person that you care for
- ChatterPack has a great list of free, online, boredom-busting resources!
- Play dementia friendly games and activities
- The Alzheimer’s Society has suggestions for digital and online activities for people living with dementia as well as activities in and around the home
- To help your loved one, play music that they can relate to, you can listen to Music for Dementia here https://m4dradio.com/ or on your Alexa or Echo Smart speaker
- The Black Dementia Company sells puzzles and activity books with imagery and topics selected specially for people with African or Caribbean heritage
