Forget-Me-Not Tuesdays: Head Along to the Dementia Carers Group
If you care for a loved one with dementia, you will know about all of the challenges this entails. Sometimes it can feel lonely to be the primary carer, and it is often important to meet other carers to get support or simply to talk to other people who understand exactly what you are going through.
If you are in this position, there may be groups and events that you can go along to if you want to meet other carers and have a chat. One that you may consider if you live in West Sussex is the Forget-Me-Not Tuesdays Dementia Carers Group.wellbeing@crawley.gov.uk.
Overview of Forget-Me-Not Tuesdays
The Forget-Me-Not Tuesdays Dementia Carers Group (which you can read more about here) is supported by the Crawley Dementia Alliance.
The meeting will be held every Tuesday at Fairlawn House in Crawley from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. You can contact the group by calling 01293 585352, or you can send an email to
If you go along to the group, you will be able to meet primary and secondary carers for people suffering from dementia. The group is run by carers, and you will be able to get access to lots of support and advice. The organisers may also provide you with details of other organisations that can help you.
Overall, the aim of the group is to simply provide you with a place where you can enjoy a cup of tea, relax and chat to other people in your situation – which is sometimes exactly what you need.
Dementia carers: Other Ways to Get Support
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are over 670,000 people in the UK who are currently acting as primary carers for dementia sufferers. It can be very hard work to look after a loved one suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. Problems such as mood swings and memory loss can be upsetting and emotionally difficult for you. As well as going along to groups like Forget-Me-Not Tuesdays, you may want to consider getting some other help as well.
One option is to hire a trained care worker to help out in your parent’s home. At Comfort Keepers, we have trained and experienced staff that can provide this service. The service is very flexible, so you can arrange for a care worker to visit you once a week for a few hours, or a number of times each week, and they can provide personal care, bathing, companionship and more. Respite care is designed especially for people like you who simply feel like they need a break from time to time, even just for a few hours.
You’re Not Alone
It is important to remember that you are never alone when you are caring for a dementia sufferer, even though it may feel like that sometimes. Whether you attend support groups or hire expert help to give yourself a break from time to time, it is always important to get access to additional support when you need it.