You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: Support for Families Caring for Someone with Dementia

When someone you love is living with dementia, it is natural to want to help as much as possible. Family members often take on caring responsibilities without even thinking of themselves as carers.

A weekly visit becomes a daily check-in. Shopping turns into meal preparation. A quick reminder about an appointment becomes responsibility for organising the diary, medication and household.

Gradually, caring can become a significant part of everyday life.

You can love someone deeply and still need help

There can be an unspoken expectation that family should cope. People may feel guilty about asking someone else to help, particularly if they believe they should be able to manage on their own.

But needing support is not a failure. Caring for someone with dementia can be demanding, and getting help can make the arrangement more sustainable for everyone.

What can make caring feel harder?

It may be time to consider additional support when family responsibilities are beginning to take over everyday life.

• There is little or no time available for rest or personal commitments.
• Work or other responsibilities are becoming difficult to balance with caring.
• There is increasing worry about leaving a loved one alone.
• Practical tasks such as meals, shopping, medication or appointments are taking more time.
• Personal care needs are increasing.
• The current arrangement no longer feels sustainable.

Respite care can provide breathing space

Respite care gives a family carer time away from their caring responsibilities while their loved one receives appropriate support.

That time might be used for work, an appointment, seeing friends, spending time with other family members, exercising or simply having an uninterrupted break.

It does not change the relationship between the family member and the person they care for. In many cases, having some breathing space can make it easier to return to caring with renewed patience and energy.

Support does not have to take over

Professional home care can be introduced around the person’s existing routines. The aim is not to replace family relationships, but to provide practical support where it is needed.

Depending on individual circumstances, this may include companionship, meal preparation, personal care, practical household support, help with routines or respite for a family carer.

Keeping someone at home can still be possible

Families sometimes worry that bringing in professional care is the beginning of a move into residential care. Home care can instead be part of helping someone remain at home for longer.

Familiar surroundings, established routines and meaningful possessions can all be important to someone living with dementia. Personalised care can work alongside those routines.

Asking for help before you reach breaking point

There is no prize for coping alone. If caring is starting to affect wellbeing, work, relationships or the ability to have any time away, it is reasonable to explore the options.

You do not need to have a plan before making an enquiry. A conversation can help clarify what support might be useful and whether a small amount of regular care could make a difference.

Support for families across Derbyshire

Wellbeing Homecare Services provides personalised care and support across Derbyshire. The team can discuss individual circumstances and explore options including specialist dementia care, companionship, practical support and respite care.

If caring is becoming harder to manage, talk to Wellbeing Homecare Services about how additional support could help. 👉 Get in touch today for friendly, no-obligation advice or home visit