INTRODUCTION
future. It also guarantees that you are not put under the additional pressure of making a decision on behalf of your loved one and worrying that it may go against what they would have wanted for themselves. Remembering that a person with dementia is, first and foremost, an individual with their own unique life experiences, personality and likes and dislikes, is one of the most important aspects of supporting them and planning for the future. This will also shape how the person with dementia would prefer to be cared for as their needs increase, including their end of life and funeral wishes.
CARE AND SUPPORT This sentiment is echoed in national strategies for dementia, which aim to ensure that people who deliver adult social care services fully understand and meet the needs of the person with dementia and their family. This includes person-centred planning, gathering and recording information and using life stories, along with an ethos centred on really getting to know the person with dementia. This enables them to deliver relationship-centred care as relationships are a huge part of life and who we are as individuals. There is also a drive to raise awareness of dementia amongst the wider public, in communities and public services, as well as raising standards and increasing public awareness of excellent dementia care. Raising public awareness starts with each one of us. 6
LIVING WELL WITH DEMENTIA This Guide will support you, and the person living with dementia, from diagnosis and daily living, onto care and support through to plans for end of life care. We will also discuss the legal and financial considerations that come with a dementia diagnosis. The resources and information available are vast, and for that reason we are aware that this publication can only take you so far. There may be other publications which can help you further. As such, we have compiled a bibliography of resources used in writing this Guide which are online at www.carechoices. co.uk/dementia plus other useful publications and sources which start page 78. We have also included further links to websites, videos and blogs, where people share their experiences to help you and the person you support. Finally, we know that you’re not alone in supporting someone with dementia. That is why throughout this Guide, we have included real-life examples and stories from people who support someone with dementia. These might be family carers, dedicated dementia nurses or trained care and support staff. Consider that the information you gather and experiences you have whilst supporting someone with dementia could help someone else. Over time, if you feel able to, consider passing your knowledge forward and sharing your experiences with others. People live well with dementia for a long time, we hope this Guide offers you the information to support the person in your life to live well with dementia. www.dementiafriendlynorfolk.com