World Dementia Awareness month and World Azhiemer’s Day (Tuesday 21 September) sees the launch the award winning* Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy and Practice (ASCPP) Carers’ Academy in Lanarkshire.
The programme, developed with NHS Ayrshire and Arran, brings together NHS Lanarkshire’s Alzheimer Scotland nurse consultant Helen Fox, academics from the ASCPP and Alzheimer Scotland advisors and aims to support the needs of family members caring for a relative with dementia.
Launching initially for all health and social care staff, as of Thursday 30 September, the centre will be open to all carers who have a family member with dementia.
Helen said: “We are really pleased to launch the Carers’ Academy centre and look forward to welcoming family carers to the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) Lanarkshire Campus located at Hamilton International Technology Park. We will be delivering the programme monthly.
“The Carers’ Academy offers an initial one-day programme with state-of-the-art practical skills-based learning and information to support family caring for the person living with dementia.”
The academy aims to:
- Enhance knowledge and understanding of the effects of dementia.
- Develop practical skills in the fundamentals of care and caring.
- Facilitate opportunities for peer-to-peer learning.
Helen Fox and colleagues have been part of a growing collaborative to extend and expand this initiative.
Helen added: “Our pioneer group were all health service employees who are combining their contribution to the public in their professional role with that of a family carer at home. We are grateful for everyone’s attendance and we all had a very interesting and productive day together.”
Interested family carers can make contact with Helen on 01698 366760.
*Winner of Best Educational Initiative in Scotland’s Dementia Awards 2019 and Winner of Innovations in Education at the Mental Health Nursing Forum Scotland Awards 2019.
Meanwhile, Lanarkshire Police Division, along with NHS Lanarkshire, have introduced The Herbert Protocol, a nationally recognised scheme for people living with dementia who may be at risk of going missing.
Family, friends or carers can download the Herbert Protocol form from Police Scotland’s website, which records important information such as personal details, routines and significant places. The form should be kept up-to-date and should contain a recent photograph of the person.
The form will be retained by family or carers and only given to police in the event that the person is reported missing. Having the form completed in advance, can save vital time in tracing the person and will prevent family or carers the worry of trying to recall and provide information at such a stressful time.
