By Andrew Clarke

Published at 11:06, Thursday, 15 September 2011

A NEW education programme for carers of people with dementia is set to launch in Cumbria.

Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Alzheimer’s Society South Lakes have come together to respond to the needs of carers of people with dementia across the county.

Together, they are working to deliver an informative education programme to help support carers.

In Copeland, a programme of six sessions is planned at Lakes College, Lillyhall, from November 3 to December 8. The sessions are open to up to 15 people, and will be led by specialist staff of both organisations. They will last in the region of two hours each.

David Storm, service manager for older people’s services for Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Many people who have dementia are cared for by family or friends.

“For carers this is often a stressful and emotional task, requiring valuable information and support.

“We aim to help to meet this need in Cumbria with this programme which will offer advice on a range of subjects, from understanding the behaviour of people with dementia to how to cope and deal with feelings.”

Topics to be covered through the programme are:

What is dementia

Understanding behaviour

Looking after yourself/carers/stress

Role of community dementia service and how they can help

Wellbeing, coping and dealing with feelings

Legal issues, capacity and consent

Benefits

Dementia affects one in 20 people over 65. This rises to one in five for people aged over 80. It is a progressive and mainly irreversible condition. While it predominantly affects people in older age, it can and does affect younger people too.

For more information on dementia, visit www.cumbriapartnership.nhs.uk/api/condition/dementia.

For further information or to book a place on the course contact Sarah Rockliffe on 01539 742617.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk