Dementia UK can provide information and support for patients and their family carers through dementia specialist Admiral Nurses. These nurses can offer practical tips for caring, signposting to relevant social care, advising on availability of benefits and financial/legal sources of support, offer emotional support, and compassionate guidance to planning for the future, all via a free confidential helpline.²⁹

Face-to face Admiral Nurse dementia clinics are also available at selected branches across the country. Regular group support meetings run by Admiral Nurses for family carers may also be offered, for example through local older people’s community mental health services.^29,30

Support is available from pre-diagnosis, through the illness pathway, and can continue for family carers left behind after the person with dementia dies.

Admiral Nurses are also happy to help health and social care professionals to support people living with dementia and their families. However, they cannot make contact directly with that person or family (unless they contact the Helpline themselves) or take third party referrals from statutory or third sector organisations.³¹

The Dementia Helpline can be contacted on 0800 888 6678, via email at helpline@dementiauk.org, or online at Dementia UK at https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/how-we-can-support-you/