Surrey to increase support for dementia carers
Free training sessions are taking place in Banstead and Bletchingley starting from June, with more locations to follow.
Surrey County Council is expanding its support for carers of people with dementia.
Free training sessions are already available in Guildford and Milford, and sessions will begin in Banstead and Bletchingley in June.
The training has been designed by dementia carers who say tailored support is needed. Participants will learn how to manage hydration as well as coping strategies for behavioural changes in their loved ones.
The council say Woking and Surrey Heath are likely to follow if there is enough demand.
The sessions will also enable carers to share experiences with others who look after loved ones with similar conditions.
In Surrey, more than 17,000 people are living with dementia and numbers are projected to rise further.
The Mid Surrey Dementia Care Trust who run The Conservatory Club in Leatherhead is one of the resources in the county where people with dementia can take part in activities and interact with others.
The Club also supports their loved ones by offering respite from the role of caring, helping many to continue caring for their loved one at home for longer than might otherwise have been possible.
Chair of Trustees Glynis Peterkin says the experience of carers is challenging: "Carers haven't had clinical training, they only know about it from their experience and from what doctors have told them. Living with it and holding onto patience is really hard.
"Each time the disease progresses, a bit more of the person they know and love has gone and that's really difficult."
Surrey County Council have asked people looking for training sessions in their area to register interest on their website.