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• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Women caring for partners >> Interview 23 >> Suggests there should have been orward planning by a care manager.

Has been able to cope with caring for him at home. He attends a day centre and he has regular respite care. Doesn't feel ready to consider full time residential care for him but has felt it necessary to look out for homes which might be suitable.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Women caring for partners >> Interview 25 >> Being a carer affected her perception of relationships with others.

Cared for by his wife at home. Was terrified when left in respite care so wife removed him within hours. Developed Parkinsons disease. Was admitted to hospital for assessment and subsequently transferred to residential care.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Men caring for partners >> Interview 07 >> Making the first move resulted in restoring friendships and discovered why people had been reluctant to get in touch.

Gradual onset mistaken for depression. Diagnosis given jointly to husband and wife. Slow progression. Problem with restlessness and wandering. Very involved with the local Alzheimers disease society. He tries to involve her in decisions where possible. Initially prescribed antidepressants later given trial of Reminyl. Later benifited from sedatives and sleeping tablets.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Men caring for partners >> Interview 07 >> His information needs changed over time - from physiological and psychological explanations to how to manage the caring role.

Gradual onset mistaken for depression. Diagnosis given jointly to husband and wife. Slow progression. Problem with restlessness and wandering. Very involved with the local Alzheimers disease society. He tries to involve her in decisions where possible. Initially prescribed antidepressants later given trial of Reminyl. Later benifited from sedatives and sleeping tablets.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Men caring for partners >> Interview 08 >> Carers who came to look after his wife did very little for her.

He felt he had to fight to get the care she needed when she needed it. Indignant that medication was refused on grounds of cost but did persuade GP to give Aricept though he admits it didn't do her any good. Life is very lonely since she died.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Men caring for partners >> Interview 36 >> Found it necessary to use threats to get equipment his wife urgently needed.

Husband looked after her at home for several years. Medication upset her causing her to see colours when she closed her eyes. When things got too difficult was moved into residential care. Husband visits everyday.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Caring for parents >> Interview 04 >> Gives suggestions for making the life of the carer less difficult.

Distance care difficult as mother refused to accept help. Difficulty communicating with social services. Had to apply for a Court of Protection order to control her finances. Problems finding a suitable nursing home. She twice escaped.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Caring for parents >> Interview 11 >> Be sensitive to real needs rather than what people are going to think.

She managed for a time to care for her mother in her own home which was nearby but eventually had to agree to her going into a nursing home.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Caring for parents >> Interview 04 >> There is too little understanding of the needs of the person with dementia or their carers.

Distance care difficult as mother refused to accept help. Difficulty communicating with social services. Had to apply for a Court of Protection order to control her finances. Problems finding a suitable nursing home. She twice escaped.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Caring for parents >> Interview 15 >> Suggests regular visits from a CPN would help inform and advise the carer and allow for advance planning.

Her mother had been an independent widowed woman. They had hoped when they were able to move her nearby that this arrangement would be adequate for several years but before long she had to go into residential care.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Men caring for partners >> Interview 50 >> Was open about the problem with all their friends and found himself with 16 regular volunteer helpers.

Developed symptoms in her sixties and guessed herself what it was. Dementia progressed but Alzheimers was never actually confirmed. Separation difficulties with day care but easy transfer to residential care. Was treated with tegretol because she developed epilepsy.