Although I have been caring for my husband for several years, I have only just come across the DIST team , Dementia Intensive Support Team. They seem to cover East Anglia, and mention is made of something similar in Wales. I don't know if they are anywhere else in the country.
It is part of the Mental Health Team. OHs name was forwarded to them yesterday as part of our visit to A&E. The first phone call came before we had arrived home, though I must admit we did stop for coffee! I was phoned again this am and I think if I had said I wanted him in a home NOW, they would have done so!
I have been looking at the website (Google DIST) and was pretty impressed. They deal, for instance, with emergencies such as violence. As it's a mental health department they seem to realise that a person can have more than one mental health problem at a time.
There is even a section on things to do when you visit a doctor, things like make lists, take a responsible person with you, get doc to write things down for you.
One comment I liked, and we've all met docs like this, say to them
'I'm not asking you to talk to me, I'm just asking you to listen to me. What you then do with the information is up it you!'
It may be an idea to find out where your local DIST team, or equivalent is. It may be a lifesaver!
It is part of the Mental Health Team. OHs name was forwarded to them yesterday as part of our visit to A&E. The first phone call came before we had arrived home, though I must admit we did stop for coffee! I was phoned again this am and I think if I had said I wanted him in a home NOW, they would have done so!
I have been looking at the website (Google DIST) and was pretty impressed. They deal, for instance, with emergencies such as violence. As it's a mental health department they seem to realise that a person can have more than one mental health problem at a time.
There is even a section on things to do when you visit a doctor, things like make lists, take a responsible person with you, get doc to write things down for you.
One comment I liked, and we've all met docs like this, say to them
'I'm not asking you to talk to me, I'm just asking you to listen to me. What you then do with the information is up it you!'
It may be an idea to find out where your local DIST team, or equivalent is. It may be a lifesaver!