Round-the-clock helpline can be lifeline for those who have dementia – and their carers

Published on Monday 13 April 2009 19:29

ALZHEIMER Scotland provides information, practical services and emotional support to people with the illness, their carers and anyone affected by dementia in their daily lives.

There are 63,500 people with dementia in Scotland, yet the fear and stigma surrounding the illness means many of those with a diagnosis and those who care for them become isolated from their communities.

We are working to make Scotland a more dementia-friendly place, by supporting people to keep up with the activities, hobbies, friends and loved ones that mean so much in life.

Fundraising makes a huge difference to our charity and the people we help on a daily basis. Alzheimer Scotland's Dementia Helpline was established 20 years ago and is the only helpline of its kind in the UK in being free and available 24 hours a day.

It is manned almost exclusively by volunteers, all of whom receive extensive training and many of whom have direct experience of caring for someone with dementia. It is entirely reliant on voluntary income and gets thousands of calls a year.

The helpline serves many purposes. It is often the first point of contact between an individual – be they a carer, a person with dementia, interested professional or a concerned member of the public – and Alzheimer Scotland. People call the helpline for a variety of reasons: some wish to find out more about dementia, some want to access help and services in their local area and some are looking to be signposted to other organisations offering specific legal, financial or medical advice.

However, many people also call the helpline for emotional support – the opportunity to talk to someone who understands and, even more importantly, be listened to when it really matters. Below are some quotes from people who have called the helpline:

"Having the Helpline to turn to has really helped as there are no expectations, only support – making it easier to deal with the guilt of not being able to meet my dad's needs now. I can't thank you all enough!"

"The night I phoned I felt at peace and was able to go back to bed and get some sleep. Absolutely wonderful. You should all be given a medal. Thank you."

"I have never forgotten the moment years ago when we phoned you over the Christmas period in despair since it was then becoming clear that my mother was showing signs of serious memory loss. The advice and kindness we received from the person manning your helpline made a huge difference to us that day."

We believe that no-one should go through the experience of dementia alone. If you are worried about dementia and you want to talk to someone who understands, please call 0808 808 3000.

Our other work includes:

&#149 Providing practical services such as day care and home support, helping people with dementia retain their skills for as long as possible and giving carers a break from caring

&#149 Running support groups for carers and people recently diagnosed with dementia

&#149 Speaking out for the rights and concerns of people with dementia and their carers

&#149 Supporting groups of people with dementia and carers to speak out for themselves, such as the Scottish Dementia Working Group

&#149 Funding research into causes, treatments and eventual cures for dementia

&#149 Funding a programme of specialist nurses, which aims to have a specialist dementia nurse in every NHS board and ultimately every acute hospital in Scotland

&#149 Giving information to carers, professionals and people with dementia through our leaflets, booklets, reports, a quarterly newsletter (Dementia in Scotland) and www.alzscot.org

&#149 Moira Lawrance is the head of fundraising events at Alzheimer Scotland.