It can be upsetting and painful to see a loved one experience dementia.

Our Mountbatten nurses and carers are there to support you, as well as the person with dementia. They can help you to understand what is happening, and what to expect as the condition progresses.

It is very important that you take care of yourself, both emotionally and physically. If you are a carer, try to follow these tips for keeping well.

• Establish a family / friends support network and seek out health and social care as you need it. You may gather helpful tips from others' experiences
• Don't underestimate the impact on you of caring for someone with dementia. It can be very stressful and your relationships may change, but caring can also be a positive and rewarding experience
• Look after yourself and try to engineer some 'me time'
• Keep a sense of humour. A tall order, but laughter is the best medicine for some of the problems you will encounter
• Don't be too hard on yourself. Everyone's journey through dementia will be different, with many things impacting on  your experience, such as background, personality and coping skills. You may experience a wide range of emotions, including guilt and grief, but remember that there is no such thing as a perfect carer
• Be realistic about what you can achieve and try talking things through with a good friend / listener

Mountbatten can offer a range of support for people living with dementia, as well as their carers. Ask you GP, or the person supporting your care at Mountbatten, if you would like to access our specialist support.