Helping families navigate changes their loved one might face living with dementia
By Nicola Payne: Health and Families Manager
When you are a parent/carer to a person with a learning disability it can feel tricky at times to keep on track with all the changes your loved one will be experiencing especially if they are also living with dementia.
At MacIntyre, we have such a focus and commitment to supporting people living with a learning disability and a diagnosis of dementia and to live a life that makes sense to them ensuring they are kept at the centre of their care and changing needs Dementia | MacIntyre
We want everyone to feel safe and in control in their everyday lives including families, take a look at our DNA and this will show you in more detail how MacIntyre commits to this in all that we do.
For this year’s Dementia Action Week 2024, MacIntyre wanted to share something that would support the focus of changes that can occur financially.
Part of my role at MacIntyre is to ensure families and circles of support are listened to. From many conversations with families, I often hear that they hold a wealth of knowledge about their loved one and of course, I fully agree with this, and why would I not? I also hear and see the worry families can face as they get older and release that will not be around forever and want to ensure people who are part of their loved ones' world gain the outstanding knowledge they keep, most of the time, in their heads.
So along came the creation of “MacIntyre’s preparing to support guide”. This process will allow families to document everything big or small that a person would need to know to fully support their person in a meaningful way. Click on the link to show you how you can sign up for our Preparing to Support programme
If you want to listen to find out more you can; you will hear Nicola, Debs, and family member Jo talk about what value this resource can have on our MacIntyre family podcast by clicking here.
“Using this resource alongside your family member with dementia can be a profound experience, offering a guiding light through the challenges of the condition. Beyond its practical benefits, it creates precious opportunities for shared moments of connection, reminiscence, and genuine joy, enriching both your lives in immeasurable ways." Debs Aspland, Parent Carer
The Preparing to Support programme is broken down into weekly chapters and once you sign up you will receive a weekly email with a focus on a different piece of information. Linking our programme to this year’s Dementia Action Week, Week 7 has a financial focus on understanding and managing the financial and legal aspects of your loved one's life. It's essential to have a clear picture of their benefits, banking details, insurance policies, and legal authorisations.
I would love to hear from you, if you have started the programme and how it has helped support you as families/ carers to feel less of a weight of responsibility; offered a space to relax; and, most importantly, spend quality time with your loved ones without the worries, that without, future planning can naturally bring.
If after reading this blog you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me health.team@macintyrecharity.org
