DementiaRoadmap

Promoting living well with dementia across Scotland

Caring well

Living with dementia may mean you require additional support from a family member or friend. This might include emotional support; help around the house, such as cooking and cleaning; help with personal care, like washing and dressing; or help getting to and from medical appointments. Those who provide this type of support to a family member or friend are defined as ‘carers’ and have access to advice and support in West Dunbartonshire.

The Scottish Government definition of a ‘carer’ is those who “provide care and support to family members, friends and neighbours. The people they care for may be affected by disability, physical or mental ill-health, frailty or substance misuse.” You do not need to be living with the person you provide care to, and you can become a carer at any age, from a young child to an elderly adult. Providing care to a loved one can be very stressful, and often has an emotional, physical and financial impact on the carer.

Carers in Scotland have specific rights under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, including the right to information and advice. Carers of West Dunbartonshire are the local information and support service for carers in the area. Support offered by the organisation includes emotional support, information and support accessing other services, short breaks and peer support opportunities. More information can be found under the ‘Groups’ tab.

Carers in West Dunbartonshire can also receive support from West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership, as well as condition-specific organisations and groups, such as Alzheimer Scotland and Improving Lives. Information and contact details for support services can be found below.

Information
Services

Information

  • Trauma Informed ApproachIt is important to acknowledge the relationship between trauma and dementia and the ways trauma might impact someone living with dementia. The National Trauma Transformation Programme provides a range of resources and we would like to highlight two in particular: The first one is Opening ...
  • Let’s Talk About Dementia and Down’s SyndromeLet’s Talk About Dementia and Down's Syndrome - An easy read booklet about Dementia for adults with Down’s Syndrome
  • Help if you are a CarerThis website link provides information on the support you can get if you are an unpaid carer in Scotland.
  • Charter of RightsThe Charter of Rights for People with Dementia and their Carers aims to empower people with dementia, those who support them and the community as a whole, to ensure their rights are recognised and respected.
  • Getting a Mobility CarIf you receive a benefit because you have a disability or illness that makes it hard for you to get around, you can use it to pay for a vehicle from a charity called Motability.
  • A Stay in Hospital – Top TipsThis page provides some useful information for anyone with dementia going into hospital to make the visit more comfortable.
  • Rare Dementia SupportRare Dementia Support offer a range of support services for people living with affected by rare dementia diagnoses.
  • SIGN GuidelinesThe guideline covers: the identification and diagnosis of dementia, investigative procedures, post-diagnostic support, non-pharmacological distressed behaviours, grief and dementia, the changing needs of people with dementia, and palliative approaches.
  • Stress and DementiaInformation about the link between stress and dementia
  • Valued Carer CardCarers registered with Carers of West Dunbartonshire are entitled to a Valued Carer card. This will act as a form of identification, while also unlocking discounts, promotions and unique services provided by local businesses. Businesses and organisations supporting the Valued Carer project have the opportunity ...
  • CEA CardOnline information and application form for a cinema card
  • Dementia ToolkitDementia Toolkit for assessment, diagnosis, care and support for people with dementia and their carers developed by Improvement Scotland / Right Decision Service
  • Grants and DiscountsOnline information on grants and discounts available to carers.
  • The Herbert ProtocolFollowing its introduction in Scotland, the Hebert Protocol has been used many times to trace missing people with dementia and return them home. It is another example of how emergency and care services are working together to keep those with dementia safe.
  • Tips for Eating and DrinkingTips on eating and drinking for people with dementia and their family and friends
  • Eligibility Criteria for Adult ServicesEligibility Criteria for adult social care services in West Dunbartonshire including and easy read version.
  • Dementia Strategy SummaryA summary of the new Scottish Dementia Strategy, Everyone’s Story
  • Scottish Carers’ CharterThe Carer’s Charter will help carer’s understand their rights under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016
  • National Carers Strategy: Easy ReadAn easy read copy of the Scottish National Carers Strategy.
  • My Life AssessmentHow to access support from West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care services
  • Useful tips on the COVID-19 vaccine for people with dementiaThis briefing developed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, working with Dementia UK, includes useful tips for giving the COVID-19 vaccine without causing distress and how to explain the vaccination to someone who is living with dementia.
  • Turning up the volume: unheard voices of people with dementiaThis report published by the Alzheimer’s Society brings together views of more than 3,500 people with dementia, carers and the public on what it is like to live with dementia.
  • John’s CampaignJohn’s Campaign is about the right of people who care for someone living with dementia to be able to stay with them – and the right of people with dementia to be able to have a family carer stay with them. It applies to all ...
  • Women and Dementia: A global research overviewThis report published by Alzheimer’s Disease International explores the main issues affecting women in relation to dementia from an international perspective.
  • The Sound Doctor: Getting the best out of life with dementiaA series of films providing information to families living with dementia through the entertaining medium of TV/Film.
  • Grief, loss and bereavementThis factsheet published by the Alzheimers Society looks at some of the feelings carers may experience in caring for someone living with dementia and suggests ways to cope. It also looks at supporting a person with dementia to cope with grief and bereavement.
  • Carer’s health checkA Carer's health check should be offered to any newly-registered carers according to local guidelines or the terms of any Local Enhanced Service.
  • The dementia guideThis guide produced by the Alzheimer's Society is for anyone who has recently been told they have dementia.
  • Ten tips for communicating with a person with dementiaThese top tips produced by the Family Caregiver Alliance will help practitioners and those caring for a person with dementia to improve communication skills and ability to handle the difficult behaviour.
  • Committed to carers: Supporting carers of people at the end of lifeThis report published by the Marie Curie Cancer Care draws on the direct experiences of people caring for someone at the end of life and on Marie Curie Cancer Care’s years of expertise of caring for carers.
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Services