Family members and others caring for people with dementia often have high levels of stress due to the physical and mental challenges of caregiving alongside coping with other responsibilities, such as work, childcare, health and mobility problems of their own, or financial issues. This can affect their own physical and mental wellbeing. It is essential that informal carers have good support to enable them to manage the stresses and demands of caregiving and fulfil their role. This includes support for the specific challenges and practical tasks of caregiving, and support to address their own needs.

Pharmacy teams can support carers by finding out what help they need as well as their preferences. They could direct carers to local support groups or suggest they see their GP if they are feeling depressed and anxious. Community pharmacy technicians can support medicines optimisation by helping with the supply and delivery of medicines. There is a lot of information on support for those living with dementia and their carers available from the Alzheimer’s Society.

Practice points

• Should information regarding medicines and disease management be given directly to a patient with dementia or to their carer?
• Have a look at the Dementia Friends website and become a Dementia Friend, if you are not one already. Encourage others to sign up and raise awareness with family, friends and colleagues.