Project offers support to people living with dementia and their carers
People who care for someone with dementia can access support themselves too thanks to a project running in the Swansea area.
The Dementia and Carer Project supports people living with dementia, but also their carers too.
It is run in partnership with Swansea Council for Voluntary Service (SCVS) and the health board’s Swansea-based Local Cluster Collaboratives (LCCs) and is funded by the West Glamorgan Regional Partnership.
The project provides people living with dementia, and their carers, an opportunity to engage socially in the community and access community resources.
It also helps to reduce potential isolation for carers by providing a safe space for them to talk about their experiences.
All GP practices in the Bay Health, City Health, Cwmtawe, Llwchwr and Penderi LCCs are supported by the project, with GPs able to make referrals.
Daisy McGlashan (pictured), Dementia and Carer Development Officer at SCVS, said: “Anybody from the clusters can refer into the project.
“We can help support people living with dementia by signposting them to any groups they can go to and what services are available to help them.
“There are so many services out there that can help people who are living with dementia.
“But part of what we do is make sure the carer is maintaining their wellbeing as well.
“Every conversation we have with carers, we ask how they are and if there are any ways we can help them. It could be that we signpost them to Swansea Carers Centre or just make them aware of community groups available to them.
“There are groups that people can go to which are beneficial for the person living with dementia but are also beneficial for the carers who can talk to other people who are going through the same thing.”
SCVS also provides a befriending service, made up of volunteers who spend time doing activities or going out with people with dementia.
“Again, while the befriending service is for the person living with dementia, it is also helpful for their carer who can have a bit of a break each week,” Daisy added.
“We also check to see if carers have completed their carer's needs assessment, to help make sure they have all of the support that they may need.”
Monday 9th to Sunday 15th June is Carers Week, a national campaign to raise awareness of carers, and highlight the challenges faced by unpaid carers and recognise the invaluable contribution they make to families, communities and the wider healthcare system.
Daisy said: “It is so important to look after carers because if they are not maintaining their wellbeing, it may have a knock-on effect for the person they are caring for.
“It really is paramount. That’s why our project focuses on dementia and carers because we see how important the carer's role is.”
Dr Nicola Jones, Bay Health LCC lead and a GP at Gower Medical Practice, said: “I am delighted that this valuable service is available to our Bay Health Cluster residents living with dementia, offering support to them and their families.
“It is so beneficial to have a service which not only supports the person living with dementia but also puts an emphasis on providing support to their carers too.”
Follow this link to the Swansea Council for Voluntary Service website where you can find more information. Or you can email dementiasupport@scvs.org.uk
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.
We welcome correspondence and telephone calls in Welsh or English. Welsh language correspondence will be replied to in Welsh, and this will not lead to a delay. This page is available in Welsh by clicking ‘Cymraeg’ at the top right of this page.