Alzheimers and You
A Self Help Guide for Carers and Sufferers
by
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If like us you live in an area where Social Services, the NHS, and the Mental Health Services all work together and are fully geared up to swing into action and offer you every possible help , then you are lucky. I am told that the same standards do not always apply throughout the entire country.
Social Services is a vital and important department of your local authority. It is a central cog in the wheel, responsible for assessing all the patient's needs as well as those of the carer. By law it has to carry out detailed assessments of patients and carers. Included in those assessments are the 'sensory' needs of the blind and deaf and the problems of the very young and the elderly and physically handicapped. They are able to loan equipment for the handicapped and the elderly, and can provide walking aids, supports and adaptations to enable you to get in and out of the bath and move around the house. Their help is never ending. If you are diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease you will be allocated a Care Manager whose job it is to monitor your needs and the needs of your carer.
Your Carer? Your Carer is likely to be the most important person in your life and may be a member of your family - your wife, husband, son or daughter, or somebody appointed by Social Services. So the team that you will eventually come to rely on is being built up with the help and advice of Social Services.
Your needs may change and the time will come when you may need to make use of the different types of help that are available. Social Services supply information and offer advice on Home Care Organisations, Home Nursing, Carers and Care Homes and will always advise and offer help.
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About the Book
The very year that we began to plan our Golden Wedding celebrations we were devastated by the news that Gerald had been diagnosed with Prostrate cancer, Alzheimer Disease and Macular Degeneration which eventually lead to his blindness. We had both retired and planned to walk the South Coast Path. We looked forward to exploring the West Country, enjoying Devonshire Cream teas, and the sea view from our retirement flat - but the evening before we moved into our apartment an alarming amount of blood appeared in the hotel toilet!
Surgery was successful thanks to Seamus, a skilful surgeon with a great sense of humour. Thanks to him there was no recurrence; however Alzheimers Disease and increasing blindness began to take over our lives. This was compounded by a lack of understanding on the part of friends, relatives and even some administrative staff who had little experience and training to deal with a developing and distressing situation.
About the Author
For many years the Author has successfully battled with local Authorities, Government Departments and referred cases to the Ombudsman. Now in the same year as her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease, lost his sight and became doubly incontinent she took on the NHS in her fight for Continuing Care funding. Using 25 years of past experience in local government and the NHS she once again summoned up her determination and diplomacy to win her battle and also advise others how to plan their campaigns.