Lifeline for dementia carers

Published 28 Aug 2010 08:00 0 Comments

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CARERS for people with dementia say an Alzheimer’s Society drop-in has been a lifeline to them at their lowest moments.

People including carers Ray Butler and Nora Willis say that they were given help when they needed it most after seeing a sign for the volunteer-run drop-in.

Mr Butler, who cares for his wife Tessa, despite himself suffering from MS, said: “I was on an absolute downer one wet and dirty morning and I saw the board to say, 'Alzheimer’s Society coffee drop-in’.

“I went in and I felt I wasn’t alone any more, I had someone I could talk to.”

The drop-in from 10am-12pm on Monday and Wednesday mornings at The Look In Community Cafe, in Broadway, in Bracknell town centre is run by Alzheimer’s Society volunteers Bill and Clare Heffill.

Mr Heffill said: “Because it’s informal, people come in who might not otherwise get any help.”

Mr Butler said: “It has been a lifeline. It is wonderful.”

The Butlers from Wooden Hill, both aged 75 and married for 52 years, started coming to the drop-in six months ago after moving back to the UK from Cyprus.

Mrs Butler was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2007 but looking back, Mr Butler said that the signs were there sooner, when Mrs Butler started forgetting things she had said and done.

He said: “It is a horrible disease and my wife is changing from the girl I knew when we were just turned 17. We’ll just stick together until the end.”

Nora Willis, 59, whose husband Michael, 54, was diagnosed with dementia two years ago, tells a similar story of seeing the drop-in sign. She said: “I wasn’t sure whether to go in but then the automatic doors opened and I thought I’d better.

“Since then we’ve been coming backwards and forwards with all our questions. They have helped us fill in forms for a carer’s allowance and done so much.”

Mrs Willis, from Warfield, said that she had noticed her husband was having difficulty taking in new information but said: “I ignored the facts and put it down to stress.”

An Alzheimer’s Society sponsored Memory Walk and family fun day are due to be held on Sunday, September 12 at St George’s School in Ascot.

The aim is to raise more than £3,000 to fund support groups, advice services and outings as well as new services, including a Singing For The Brain class beginning in October. To sign up visit www.memorywalk.org.uk/bracknell or call 01344 421292.

This article appeared in Villager 26 Aug 10

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