Getting support with Alzheimer’s disease

To make sure you’re prepared for the future, it’s important to plan ahead and know what help is available should you need it. Your local authority is required to carry out a community care assessment to decide the level of support you might need now and in the future. The Alzheimer’s Society has a useful factsheet about how to arrange this assessment. Click here to view it.

This will be coordinated by:

• Healthcare professionals, such as your GP or psychiatrist
• Social care services, which is normally your local council working in conjunction with the NHS

As part of your care assessment your functional capacity will be assessed. This involves identifying areas where you may need some assistance with your day-to-day activities. For example, areas that may be assessed include:

• Whether you can drive safely
• Whether you can wash, dress and feed yourself
• Whether you have a support network, such as family and friends
• Whether you need any financial assistance

Following the care assessment, a care plan can be drawn up to arrange support for any areas where you may need to have some help. The kind of care that you will receive may depend on what is available from your local primary care trust (PCT) or health board.

What type of assistance will help keep me independent?

The healthcare professionals who are treating you will aim to keep you living as independently as possible, for as long as possible. Support can be provided in many different ways. For example:

• Grab bars and handrails can be added around your home, for example, to help you to get in and out of the bath.
• An occupational therapist can identify problem areas in your everyday life, such as dressing yourself, and help you to work out practical solutions.
• Cognitive stimulation programmes can be arranged. These involve taking part in activities and exercises to improve your memory, problem-solving skills and language ability.

Telling your employer

Having Alzheimer’s disease may cause you to have time off work, either because of the condition itself, or for you to attend GP or hospital appointments and to receive treatment. Depending on the severity of your Alzheimer’s disease, treatment may take up a significant amount of time and / or require frequent appointments.

With some jobs it may be possible to work around your appointments. Most companies offer some degree of flexible working, and a convenient working arrangement can usually be reached by discussing your medical needs with your employer.

Arrangements may include:

• working from home on days you have appointments
• working longer hours on the days you do not have appointments
• starting work later and finishing later

Your employer is legally obliged to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your medical needs.

If you feel that you may have been discriminated against at work because of your Alzheimer’s disease, there are people that can help you. You can find information from your local Citizens Advice office or contact a solicitor.

Support groups & charities

There are a number of UK organisations which provide invaluable help, information and support to people experiencing health problems. They are also a useful source of information for those caring for others with long-term conditions or for friends and relatives. 

Contacting these organisations they arrange can help you to understand and manage your condition better. 

Here are the contact details of some organisations you may find useful.

Alzheimer’s Society

Website: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk

General Telephone No's: +44 (0)20 7423 3500

Freephone Helpline No: 0845 300 0336

Email: enquiries@alzheimers.org.uk

Alzheimer Scotland

Website: http://www.alzscot.org/

General Telephone No's: 0131 243 1453

Freephone 24 Helpline No: 0808 808 3000

Email: Alzheimer@alzscot.org

Patient UK: www.nhs.uk

Patient UK: www.patient.co.uk

Please note, contact details are for information only and are correct at time of going to press. Pfizer is not responsible for the content of external websites.