Dementia Action Week - Living with cancer and dementia

This week is Dementia Action Week in the UK. In this blog, Cancer Information Nurse Jill addresses the specific challenges of living with cancer and dementia. 

Dementia Action Week is working to create a more dementia friendly UK. It also aims to improve the lives of those living with dementia and the people who care for them.

About 850,000 people in the UK are living with dementia. Many of those people also have other health conditions, including cancer. The number of people living with both dementia and cancer is increasing.

Living with cancer and dementia
Living with two serious conditions can be difficult for the person with dementia, and their carers, family and friends. People with dementia can have:

• difficulties understanding their diagnosis or treatment
• problems making decisions
• difficulties communicating – they may not be able to tell carers or their healthcare team about any side effects or symptoms they have
• a poor appetite and eating problems, which can lead to problems like constipation and dehydration and make them more confused. 

Building a support network of friends, family and neighbours can make a big difference to someone living with dementia. A support network can be just as important for carers of people with dementia too. Community health and social care professionals can also offer help and support.

If you’re caring for someone with dementia and cancer
Looking after someone with cancer and dementia can be both rewarding and challenging. Depending on the stage of their illness, they may need lots of help with everyday activities. It’s also important to help them to look after their general health. Here are some tips:

• Help them take medicines as prescribed – a pill organiser (dosette box) might make things easier.
• Encourage them to have regular check-ups with their GP or nurse. If they feel unwell, try to get them to the GP as soon as possible.
• Help them keep up to date with hearing, eye and dental checks.
• Help them to go for short walks or to do some gentle stretching exercises.
• Encourage them to eat a balanced diet and keep to a healthy weight. A dietitian can give you advice about this.

Remember to look after your own health too. Making time for you and taking breaks is important. You could ask family and friends for support with everyday tasks and it can be helpful to chat other people in a similar situation. If you are finding things difficult you could talk to your GP.

Macmillan's information about cancer and dementia
We have written information about living with cancer and dementia. We produced this information in partnership with Dementia UK. For more information about different types of dementia, you can call Dementia UK on 0800 888 6678. We have two booklets:

• A guide for people with cancer and dementia – this specially written booklet is for people with cancer and dementia. We have included an About Me form with space to add treatment, hospital and personal details. The booklet also has a symptom diary that can be torn out and re-used.
• Cancer and dementia: a guide for carers – this booklet is for anyone who looks after a friend or family member who has both cancer and dementia. This information is also online in our section about dementia and cancer.
  

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We're with you every step of the way

The Macmillan team is here to help. Our cancer support specialists can answer your questions, offer support, or simply listen if you need a chat. Call us free on 0808 808 00 00.

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