EXPERIENCED carers of dementia sufferers will help those new to the role under a new scheme recently launched in Waltham Forest.
The Shield project has been started by the Waltham Forest Carers Association (WFCA) to explore different approaches to helping sufferers and their families.
Maggie Playle, WFCA care supporter coordinator, said: “A Carer Supporter can make a huge difference to newer carers by being there to simply listen and provide positive encouragement, share experiences and support.
“The aim of this unique programme is to increase newer carers ability to live actively in the community and identify and accept the challenges of their changing lives.”
“Carers who have only recently started to care for someone with dementia, face very different caring challenges at each stage of the illness, but adjustments in the first year can be especially hard, and many experienced carers comment on how difficult that time was for them.
“Adjusting to the diagnosis and coping with the changes the illness will bring can cause a great deal of stress and can leave the carer feeling completely overwhelmed. The Carers Supporter programme is a way of helping carers to cope.”
Carers interested in volunteering for the project can attend a short presentation, where an information booklet will be available.
Contact Maggie Playle on 0208 531 9652 or email mplayle.wfcarers@btconnect.com for more information.
The scheme is funded by the National Institute of Health Research, NHS North London East London Foundation Trust and University College London.
WFCA has also been commissoned by the council to create a carers hub and a series of support groups.
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