Dementia affects more than 800,000 people in the UK, many of whom are looked after at home by a family member with no formal training in care.
It can be isolating, frustrating and frightening to live with a diagnosis of dementia, yet every day informal carers carry out millions of quiet acts of love, compassion and kindness for their loved one living with the condition.
National Dementia Carers Day (NDCD) on Sunday, September 14, is an opportunity for us all to celebrate and recognise the amazing job carried out by informal carers everywhere, by creating a ‘special moment’ to say thank you.
There are a number of ways people can get involved: download a card from the NDCD website, offer to cook a meal or care for the person with dementia for a short while, or send a bunch of flowers.
Even the simplest gesture will help informal carers feel valued and appreciated. And although thank you doesn’t quite cover it, it’s a great place to start.
Please visit the website www.nationaldementiacarersday.org.uk to get involved and find out more. Alternatively, follow NDCD on Twitter@Dementia_ Carers#ndcd2014 Hilda Hayo,
CEO, Dementia UK
Barry Sweetbaum Founder/managing director
SweetTree Home Care Services
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