Hi,
This is my first post here but I have been reading talking point for awhile. My husband has dementia, he was diagnosed 2 years ago but in many ways you wouldn't know he has dementia, he is only 70 and fit and healthy. He has steadily got to rely on me more and more.
I have had no help but at the beginning of the year I had started looking at what help was available so I could have a break. I found a men's dementia group that met on a Monday and the Alzheimer's society found a fantastic volunteer who was a man in his 60s who was into football etc. We met him once and then Coronavirus started, the group was cancelled and the side by side cancelled before we were able to go to either. These don't look like they will restart again anytime soon.
Now I really want to employ somebody for a few hours a week to be a companion to my husband while I am able to go a have a break. I have had two care companies round but with the masks and uniforms they look too much like nurses and this put him off as he doesn't see there is anything wrong with him and doesn't want other people to know he has a carer. He also doesn't see why he needs it, he thinks he can cope on his own if I go out but he cant go anywhere on his own as he gets disorientated and he cant entertain himself so I cant have a relaxing break, it is normally just a quick rush to do what I need to do and then go home to see what has happened in the house (often looks like a poltergeist has visited!). He doesn't realise how much help he needs as I just do it. We are self funding and money is not the issue it is finding the right help he will accept.
I don't have any family or friends that can help, especially at the minute with the restrictions. I am looking for any ideas, thanks.
We are based in Cheshire, England.
This is my first post here but I have been reading talking point for awhile. My husband has dementia, he was diagnosed 2 years ago but in many ways you wouldn't know he has dementia, he is only 70 and fit and healthy. He has steadily got to rely on me more and more.
I have had no help but at the beginning of the year I had started looking at what help was available so I could have a break. I found a men's dementia group that met on a Monday and the Alzheimer's society found a fantastic volunteer who was a man in his 60s who was into football etc. We met him once and then Coronavirus started, the group was cancelled and the side by side cancelled before we were able to go to either. These don't look like they will restart again anytime soon.
Now I really want to employ somebody for a few hours a week to be a companion to my husband while I am able to go a have a break. I have had two care companies round but with the masks and uniforms they look too much like nurses and this put him off as he doesn't see there is anything wrong with him and doesn't want other people to know he has a carer. He also doesn't see why he needs it, he thinks he can cope on his own if I go out but he cant go anywhere on his own as he gets disorientated and he cant entertain himself so I cant have a relaxing break, it is normally just a quick rush to do what I need to do and then go home to see what has happened in the house (often looks like a poltergeist has visited!). He doesn't realise how much help he needs as I just do it. We are self funding and money is not the issue it is finding the right help he will accept.
I don't have any family or friends that can help, especially at the minute with the restrictions. I am looking for any ideas, thanks.
We are based in Cheshire, England.