At Home with Dementia

Not until the mid 1990s did it become clear that there were many people with dementia living at home who never received help from homecare providers or a day care centre. The carer or doctor often did not discover the person needed extensive help until the day the spouse - or an adult child - became ill themselves and could no longer care for the person suffering from dementia. Few families knew what to do, and tried to get through everyday life as best as possible.

Today most countries have created services to help create a manageable, but also engaging, everyday life for people with dementia. And which can provide the closest relative assistance. There are trained carers with special knowledge about dementia, support groups, and activities offered for people living at home - and support groups for relatives.

It is necessary for the individual family to take advantage of the services offered locally, because nobody can get through a life affected by dementia alone. You must insist on getting support in finding the best care and activities offered and getting the opportunity to make the necessary decisions together with an experienced and qualified professional.