8. Where can I get more help?
Key points
There are various organisations, local and national, that can help and advise you to stay continent or manage incontinence. Also, there are websites that can help with advice on continence products, provide information on support groups or signpost to services and local activities. You may wish to talk to a specialist dementia health provider, such as an Admiral Nurse, for support and advice. In the UK, your local NHS Bladder and Bowel Service can help with continence advice and products. You might also be referred to a social care occupational therapist to see if you might benefit from any equipment to help you stay independent with using the toilet.
If you are not living in the UK you may be able to access information about resources and support in your country from the Alzheimer’s Disease Atlas.
The lists below are not exhaustive: an online search will help you identify others.
National organisations
Check online for support and information from National organisations. Many have useful resources and information.
| Organisation | Web address | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Age Co | www.ageco.co.uk | Online shop: incontinence products |
| Alzheimer’s Disease Atlas | ad-atlas.org | A database of key information and support initiatives and organisations which you can search by country. |
| Age UK | www.ageuk.org.uk | Information sheets on living at home with dementia; factsheets on social care support |
| Age UK Incontinence | www.ageukincontinence.co.uk | Incontinence advice; online shopping for incontinence products - personal protection, bed and chair protection |
| Alzheimer’s Society | www.alzheimers.org.uk | Information about dementia and incontinence; support line; online information, support, advice and practical guidance on living with dementia; information on getting support from health and social care professionals |
| AskSara | equipu.livingmadeeasy.org.uk | Advice about equipment to help with daily activities, such as using the toilet and washing |
| Bladder & Bowel UK | www.bbuk.org.uk | Information on bladder and bowel health; advice on bladder and bowel management; online shop for incontinence products; access to the “Just Can’t Wait” card |
| British Red Cross | www.redcross.org.uk | Bed protection products for purchase |
| Carers UK | www.carersuk.org | Guidance and tips on supporting someone with dementia and continence issues |
| Continence Product Advisor | www.continenceproductadvisor.org | Advice on continence products for men and women; bed and chair protection products |
| Dementia UK | www.dementiauk.org | Helpline to dementia specialist nurse -Admiral Nurse; online appointment booking for call with Admiral Nurse |
| DEEP | www.dementiavoices.org.uk | An independent network of groups of people with dementia across the UK. Groups are involved in campaigning and awareness raising about topics that are important to them. |
Local support (UK only)
Check what support is available in your local area – this will vary across the country. A good first step is to search online for “dementia support near me” to see what resources are nearby.
| Local Resources: examples | Web address | Potential support available |
|---|---|---|
| Age UK | www.ageuk.org.uk | Information on local groups and activities |
| Dementia-friendly and dementia support groups | Search online ‘Dementia support groups near me’ | Information on local groups and activities |
| Dementia UK | www.dementiauk.org | Book an appointment with an Admiral Nurse |
| Local council | Check for local email address | Dementia support; information on day centres; assessments and help with personal care and equipment; location of public toilets; getting a RADAR key |
| Local library | Check for local email address | Information on local groups, charities, services and activities |
| NHS | Access via your GP | Social prescribers. Access to Bladder and Bowel Service; help with continence products. GP notice boards often also have information about local dementia support groups. |