Supporting the Person Living with Dementia and their Care Supporter Together

Post-diagnostic support is required for the individual living with dementia and for their care partners. But it is also possible to provide post-diagnostic support to the person with dementia and their care partner together. Doing so can maintain relationships and provide the opportunity for the person and their care partner to have fun together and enjoy the company of others who are in similar situations. Supporting the relationship between the person with dementia and whoever provides support to them not only creates opportunities to ‘level’ the playing field again and for the ‘care’ aspect of the relationship to not be centre stage, but it also recognises the interdependence of each person’s wellbeing on the other. This chapter reviews the research relating to post-diagnostic support for the person and their care partner together, and provides firsthand accounts from a person living with dementia and a care partner about the benefits of attending groups and receiving support and stimulation in partnership.