Dementia Action Week – Caring for someone

This week is Dementia Action Week, and in this blog our new editor Sophie talks about looking after someone with cancer and dementia.

Being a carer can be difficult yet rewarding. Having been a young carer myself, I understand how easy it is to forget to look after yourself. Every person’s experience of being a carer is different, but sometimes worrying too much can become second-nature. It’s important to remember that you are not alone and that help is available.

I remember days when it felt like whatever I did wasn’t good enough and that I could always be doing more. I felt guilty for ever taking time to myself, or for feeling like I needed help because, to me, I wasn’t the one who needed help. I began to talk to the people around me. Working with my GP, my young-carer guide and my teachers, I began to understand that I wasn’t alone and that help was available if I needed it. My experience taught me that sometimes, it’s okay not to be okay.

Looking after someone with cancer and looking after someone with dementia are challenging roles. Looking after someone who has both cancer and dementia might involve additional areas of care and support.

Every experience of looking after a person with dementia and cancer will be different, but there are some things that might make things just that little bit easier:

• Take notes
  If you attend hospital or medical appointments with someone you care for, it may help to write things down both before and after the appointment. Before you go to the appointment, ask the person you care for if they have any questions. You can then prompt them and help them to remember.
  
  
• Spot the side effects
  The person you care for may have trouble telling you about any side effects or symptoms of the treatment they are getting. It can sometimes help if you learn about these side effects so that you can look out for them.
  
  
• Don’t forget your feelings
  Finding out that the person you care for has both cancer and dementia can be very upsetting and it is common to feel frightened or angry. Talking to people can sometimes help, but not everyone finds it easy to talk to friends and family. We have an Online Community group for carers. It can be helpful to talk to others about their experiences of caring. You may also wish to speak to a counsellor.

• Take care of yourself
  When you are caring for someone, it may be hard to remember to look after yourself too. It’s important to rest and give yourself time to do things you enjoy. We have more suggestions of ways to look after yourself.

Our booklets, Cancer and dementia: a guide for carers and A guide for people with cancer and dementia, may have more information you find helpful.

On a final note, I wanted to add that it’s important to be kind to yourself. Be proud of your successes, no matter how big or small. You’re doing a great job and it’s okay to ask for help or support. Remember you can call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.

To see what else Macmillan's cancer information team has been blogging about, please visit our blog home page! You can subscribe to receive our blogs by email or RSS too.

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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