Introduction This booklet has been produced by the Local Dementia Action Alliance in Runnymede to support the Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership’s strategy on dementia. By working together as an Alliance, we can support people with dementia by making services more dementia friendly, improving experiences from going shopping to visiting the opticians and dentist. Frances Dyble-Goode is the Runnymede Dementia Carers Champion and founder of the Runnymede Dementia Carers Support Group. Frances has more than 20 years experience of helping carers looking after a loved one with dementia. Frances says: “As a carer, the challenge is to get the most out of your day for you and your loved one by feeling the least frustrated and upset as possible.” You may find the following helpful: Always smile when you see the person with dementia as this seems to connect strongly and can start the day or outing in the right way Try not to answer for your loved one as they may withdraw completely. Encourage them to join in as much as possible Join a support group so you can meet up with people who are in the same situation and understand. The details of the Runnymede Dementia Carers Support Group are on page 7 1
6 Publizr Home