Time for a Cuppa is a campaign dedicated to raising money to provide more Admiral Nurses – highly skilled nurses specialising in dementia care developed exclusively by Dementia UK for families and individuals who are affected by dementia.
Unfortunately there are not nearly enough Admiral Nurses in the UK and it is a ‘postcode lottery’ as to who will receive this vital help.
From 1–8 March 2014 Dementia UK is encouraging people around the UK to have a special tea-break at work, a small party at home or a bigger event in the community to raise funds for these much needed services.
Supporters can visit www.timeforacuppa.org to find out more information or to order a free tea-party pack, which includes games, activities, posters and invites.
There are currently 800,000 people in the UK living with dementia. Many are cared for by unpaid family carers – who save the economy £8 billion a year.
Despite this, there are just 113 Admiral Nurses to support family carers of people with dementia.
Admiral Nurses are there to support these families from diagnosis to end of life care, providing them with the tools and skills to best understand and cope with the realities and challenges of dementia.
Praise from Janet, family carer, Kent, for her Admiral Nurse:
“To have someone who listens to me and is concerned for my health and well-being is wonderful. Without her this past year would have been so much more difficult as I have had to adjust to giving up work to become a full time carer. I would like to see every carer have the opportunity of the support of an Admiral Nurse.”
Admiral Nursing is firmly established in areas such as the West Midlands and Kent, however, the North East, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have no service, but help can always be obtained from the national helpline and email service Admiral Nursing Direct.
This help line is staffed by experienced Admiral Nurses and is for family and professional carers, people with dementia and anyone worried about their memory.
They allow families who don’t have access to an Admiral Nursing service to get this unique practical and emotional support over phone and email. Last year the nurses gave help and advice to 3,000 families.
The service has recently extended its hours and is open 9:15–16:45 every weekday. Call 0845 257 9406 or email direct@dementiauk.org.
