We use cookies on this website. Cookies store information that allow us to improve our website and your browsing experience. By clicking agree and close or continuing to use this site (without changing your settings), you agree to our use of cookies To find out more about cookies (and to change your settings), please see our Privacy Policy.

Agree and close
Back
For Adults

Find the right support near you

Find support
For Adults Great Communities Residential Vacancies Day Opportunities Employment Registered Care Shared Lives Supported Living
For Children

Find the right support near you

Find support
For Children Academies Further Education MacIntyre School Residential Support Supported Living Transition
Our Approach

Find the right support near you

Find support
Our Approach Families Great Interactions Health and Safety Intensive Interaction Person Centred Approaches Positive Behaviour Support Safeguarding Voice of the people we support
Our Expertise

Find the right support near you

Find support
Our Expertise Autism Dementia Communication Health Learning Disability Transforming Care Resources
Get Involved

Find the right support near you

Find support
Get Involved Corporate Support MacIntyre Lottery Wills and Legacies FAQ
Careers
Careers Work for us Current Vacancies 10 best things about MacIntyre Employee Benefits How to apply How to write an effective CV Recruitment FAQs Safer Recruitment Students and Graduates Volunteer Working in Wales
News & Blogs
Events
Donate Search

Who stole November?

17 December 2020
Blog post

Jane Nickels, MacIntyre's Learning Disabilities Admiral Nurse, shares her latest blog post providing an update on MacIntyre's Virtual Memory Cafés and tips on self-care for people caring for a someone with dementia..

-

I don’t know if I’m the only one but it feels like I blinked and missed November and Christmas is approaching fast!

Since my last blog, I have been lucky enough to attend my first MacIntyre Dementia Special Interest Group. This was an amazing day exploring all things dementia with like-minded people.

We had the amazing Dr Wendy Mitchell talk to us about her experiences of living with dementia and we said a fond farewell to Emma Killick, MacIntyre's Director for Adult Services, who has dedicated much of her time to people with a learning disability experiencing dementia. She will be sadly missed by all.

The virtual MacIntyre Memory Cafés have also been so successful, we now plan to run national cafés every month for the foreseeable future. We hope they help people to stay connected during these difficult times and we hope to resume our face to face café’s once it is safe enough to do so.

Sadly in the more recent daily news, we have heard of the sad passing of Dame Barbara Windsor, who was loved by many and touched so many people’s lives. She fought a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s and shared her experiences with others, campaigning for better support for families touched by dementia. Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.

Sometimes when supporting a person with dementia, we made need extra support ourselves (both physically and emotionally). Combined with the restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 and with Christmas quickly approaching, I thought we should focus on self-care for carers. I have popped a few resources below which I hope are helpful to some.

  1. Coping with feelings of guilt are normal so try not to be so hard on yourself – Dementia UK have developed some amazing resources which can be accessed on their website: Looking after yourself as a carer - Dementia UK
  2. If possible take some time out to do something for you as a carer – Meditation or yoga can be very helpful to relax and de-stress, if only for a short while. There are free online meditation and yoga classes/videos now, so maybe it’s a good time to try something new.
  3. Don’t underestimate the emotional impact of dementia – MacIntyre have an amazing resource covering this topic and it’s well worth having a read – You can access this here: Emotional Impact of Dementia - Wellbeing for Life 
  4. The amazing Beth Britton shared a resource recently which I thought was such a great idea. It’s a dedicated website/forum for people with dementia and their carers sharing tips on various subjects related to dementia. Their link is Home - Dementia Tip-Share (dementiatip-share.org.uk)

If you feel alone over Christmas and are struggling, there are many organisations that can help and support you so please do not feel you are ever truly on your own.

Contact Us | Samaritans or Call 116 123 open 24 hours a day

Dementia Helpline for free on 0800 888 6678 (open Mon – Fri 9am to 9pm and sat & Sun 9am – 5pm, or send an email to [javascript protected email address] Dementia Helpline - Alzheimer's Helpline - reach out to an Admiral Nurse (dementiauk.org)

Carer Support - Helpline is available on 0808 808 7777 from Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm or you can contact us by email ([javascript protected email address]) Get in touch | Talk to us - Carers UK

More about how we support people with Dementia

Dementia

We have expertise in supporting people with dementia or at risk of developing dementia.

Find Out More
21 Jan 2021
News

Introducing our Virtual Memory Café

On Friday 29 January we will be taking our much-loved MacIntyre Memory Cafe online for the first time, welcoming people across the country to join us.

Find Out More
12 Nov 2020
News

MacIntyre Dementia Project: Two Years on

It has been two years since our award-winning, DoH funded 'MacIntyre Dementia Project' came to a close but our work around dementia is far from over.

Find Out More
9 Nov 2020
Blog post

Orange for October

Jane Nickels, MacIntyre's Learning Disabilities Admiral Nurse, shares her latest blog post detailing her top tips for promoting good brain health.

Find Out More
Important Links
Working Safely in Offices Slavery & Human Trafficking Policy Statement
Talk to us
Find Support Near You MacInStars Employee of the Month Contact Us About us
Newsletter
Our Newsletter
Connect with us
Registered Charity No. 250840

602 South Seventh Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK9 2JA
© 2021 MacIntyre. All rights reserved Data Protection and Privacy Policy
Made by Grandad