Morning Sutton Coldfield NNS Team,
I hope that the team have had a cup of tea and recovered from the event last week! I’m hoping you might be able to help. We have been working to support carers who have a learning disability. This month one of our local carers was featured in the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Together magazine. Below is some information about this and the support available. Please would you be able to share or post any of it anywhere you think would be useful?
Supporting carers who have a learning disability
When we see someone who has a learning disability we often assume that they would be cared for, and not that they have caring responsibilities themselves. We estimate that there could be many people in Birmingham who have a learning disability and are also carers.
For example, this could be someone who has a learning disability and is living with family.
When a parent gets a
diagnosis like dementia, the person with a learning disability can often face
barriers to accessing support as a carer.
This could also be someone who is living a shared house with other people who have learning disability.
When another resident is diagnosed with something like dementia, others can become informal carers.
The current lack of awareness and accessible support leaves both the carer who has a learning disability and the person they care more vulnerable. It can lead to significant and unwanted changes in all their lives. As we look to raise awareness and build support for carers with a learning disability, please do share the article with anyone you think would find it interesting.
Supporting Dad after his
dementia diagnosis as a person with a learning disability
Adam, in north Birmingham, cares for his father Bob. Adam has a learning disability and is using his voice to call for more support for carers like him.
You can read more about Adam and how he cares for his dad.
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/sites/default/files/2024-01/Dementiatogether_FebMar2024.pdf
Listen to the podcast
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/publications-and-factsheets/dementia-together/podcast
If you or someone you know is caring and has a learning disability the Alzheimer’s Society are here to support you.
Please contact:
BirminghamAndSolihull@alzheimers.org.uk
0333 150 3456 (asking for the Birmingham and Solihull team.)
Easy Read factsheet: What is
dementia?
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-03/what_is_dementia_er1.pdf
Easy Read factsheet: Helping a person with dementia
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-03/helping_a_person_with_dementia_er2.pdf
Free to order here:
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/publications-factsheets/full-list
Support group for carers with a learning disability
The peer support group is for anyone who is caring and has a learning disability and autism.
Someone can have their statutory
carers assessment there, along with peer support.
Other services also come to the
group and connect people with the support.
People don’t need to have a formal
diagnosis of learning disability.
Contact CASBA to join the group or
make a referral.
https://www.casba.org.uk/our-services/supporting-carers-with-learning-disabilities
0121 475 0777
Support for a Statutory Carers Assessment and Advocacy
All carers are entitled to a carer
act advocate to support them to complete a carers assessment.
It would be necessary to specifically request a carer act
advocate when making the referral.
You can contact Advocacy Matters
directly explaining that it is support for carer with a learning disability.
https://advocacymatters.org.uk
Many thanks,
Kathy
Kathy Beniston (she/her)
Dementia Connect Adviser
Birmingham and Solihull
07541759523
0333 150 3456
Kathy.beniston@alzheimers.org.uk
