Dementia carers in a "vicious circle"

[wendy]

Dementia Awareness Week 15-21st May
A leading carers' organisation is urging anyone looking after a relation, friend or neighbour with dementia to seek support and information for themselves as early as possible.
According to Norfolk Carers, carers are often at the end of their tether by the time they seek help and support, and so are putting their own physical and emotional wellbeing at risk.
Maria Plumb, Norfolk Carers Advice Line Coordinator says:
"Carers looking after someone with dementia are often reluctant to seek practical and emotional support for themselves, particularly when the person they are caring for doesn't realise that they have dementia or doesn't acknowledge the carer's role. We have had calls from carers who, at the end of their tether, have had to lock themselves in the bathroom, or invent other excuses to be able to call us and get support, for fear of upsetting the person they are looking after.
The more isolated and tired a carer feels, the more likely they are to get frustrated and angry with the person they are caring for and then feel enormously guilty afterwards. This vicious circle of emotion will affect the carers own wellbeing and their ability to continue caring."
This Dementia Awareness Week Norfolk Carers is encouraging carers to seek emotional and practical support as soon as they feel the need to, by getting in touch with the Advice Line and talking to a member of the team about their own needs.
Carers can call Norfolk Carers Advice Line on 0808 808 9876.
End
Notes to Editors
For interview or further information call:
Kevin Vaughan
Carers Agency Partnership Manager
M: 07747 777243
A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.
Care support workers are paid workers and not the same as carers.
Norfolk Carers is The County Council and NHS funded Carers Support Service for Norfolk (formerly called Carers Agency Partnership) that supports unpaid carers in Norfolk:

[annie]

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