Understanding Alzheimer’s in Altrincham: Practical Support for Your Loved One
Knowing from personal experience, Alzheimer’s can be a difficult journey not just for the person diagnosed but for their entire family. If you’re supporting a loved one, it can feel overwhelming at times, but the most important lesson to learn is to look for support early on. There are ways to make the journey a little easier and many resources in the Altrincham, Sale, and Wythenshawe areas that can help. Making this journey less stressful, for you will have wide reaching positive effects for all involved. I hope the information below will help enable those first steps.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s is a condition that affects how the brain works, causing memory loss, confusion, and changes in behaviour. It’s the most common form of dementia, and while it can feel isolating, many families go through this—so finding support early can make all the difference. Understanding how the disease progresses can help you know what to expect and how best to support your loved one.
The Stages of Alzheimer’s: What to Expect
- Early Stage: In the beginning, your loved one may struggle with small things like forgetting names or recent events. They might also find it hard to organise tasks or find the right words in conversation. At this stage, they may still manage most of their daily activities, but having some help with more complicated tasks can be a huge relief. Introducing a Care Professional early on can be a really positive step—having that extra bit of support can build trust and friendship, which will be so important later on.
- Middle Stage: As Alzheimer’s progresses, memory loss becomes more noticeable. Your loved one may start to forget personal details, experience mood swings, or become confused about where they are or what time it is. This can be an unsettling time for everyone involved. During this stage, more hands-on help may be needed—whether it’s a few hours of care each day or live-in care if family members live away. This extra support (daily or weekly) can also help a main caregiver take much-needed breaks to recharge.
- Late Stage: In the advanced stages, your loved one may need full-time care (Live-in care) as they lose the ability to manage daily tasks on their own. Communication can become difficult, and physical abilities may decline too. At this stage, we would work closely with healthcare professionals and community experts working together to ensure that they remain as comfortable as possible, while reducing stress for everyone involved.
The Impact on Families: Caring for Yourself, Too
Watching someone you love change in such profound ways can take a toll—emotionally, physically, and even financially. It’s natural to feel a mix of emotions, from sadness to frustration, and sometimes, exhaustion can creep in if you don’t take time for yourself.
- Emotional Impact: The grief and fatigue that come with caregiving can be tough. This is why it’s so important to seek support early—whether it’s joining a local group (take a look at our WOW Guide),or connecting with us and our team to support your family, make sure you find time for yourself. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. If it’s not too late (very early stages of Alzhiemers) you should look into setting up the Power of Attorney for Health and Wellbenig.
- Financial Impact: Alzheimer’s care can bring unexpected costs, but there are resources available, such as Attendance Allowance that are not means tested. Managing the costs while ensuring your loved one gets the care they need doesn’t have to be something you face alone talk to a local financial advisor. If it’s not too late (very early stages of Alzhiemers) you should look into setting up a Power of Attorney for Finance.
Local Resources to Help You and Your Family
Fortunately, in Altrincham, Sale, and Wythenshawe, we know there are many local services that can help you find support and guidance, they are great places to share struggles and pick up helpful tips. Over the years we have been to all of the clubs below and actively support them, Care Professional take clients to the groups sometimes staying sometime dropping off and popping back to help with shopping or house work.
It Can be Hard to Engage with Local Activities
Take it slowly, new locations can be challenging for people living with Alzheimer’s. At first you might stay just for 10 mins and that’s fine, you might even find that you’re struggling whilst your loved one dives into a club like singing where their inhibitions have disappeared! Keeping your loved one active and engaged is key to their well-being especially during the afternoon this can really help their sleep pattern. Thankfully, there are local activities designed to stimulate memory and create joy:
Local Clubs Activities and Events
| Date | Time | Club | Address | Area | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Mon | 10:30 | Singing by Heart | Salvation Army, Ashton Lane, Sale | Sale | 0161 976 4380 |
| Alt Tues | 13:30 | Sporting Memories | Altrincham Football Club | Altrincham | 0161 9281045 |
| 1st/3rd Tues | 13:30 | Parkinson’s UK Exercise Class | Larkhill Centre, Timperley | Timperley | 07580 25686 |
| 2nd Tues | 14:00 | Dementia Conversations | Bowdon Vale Methodist Church | Bowdon | 0161 291 9283 |
| Tues | 13:00 | Talk Care Tuesday | Home Instead Office (1st floor Stairs) | Broadheath | 0161 5068309 |
| 1st Wed | 10:00 | Age UK Memory Loss Drop In | Life Centre, Washway Road (Appt.Only) | Sale | 0161 746 3944 |
| Wed | 14:30 | Vibrant Voices Choir | St Marys and Bowdon Parish Centre | Bowdon | 0161 928 3337 |
| Wed(last) | 13:30 | Wythenshawe Dementia Cafe | St Andrews Church, Brownley Road | Wythenshawe | 0161 2267186 |
| Wed(Various) | 13:30 | Accessible Films for All | Waterside Art Centre | Sale | 0161 9125616 |
| Thurs | 14:00 | Parkinson’s UK Sit Down Yoga | Sale Sports Club (Clarendon Cresent) | Sale | 07580 256867 |
| Thurs | 13:00 | Musical Memories | Timperley Methodist Church Café | Timperley | 0161 928 0022 |
| 4th Thurs | 13:30 | Hale Memory Loss Hub (Age UK) | All Saints Church | Hale Barns | 0161 746 3944 |
| Thurs | 19:00 | Parkinson’s UK Branch Meeting | Larkhill Centre, Timperley | Timperley | 07580 256867 |
| Friday | 13:00 | Community Choir | St Paul’s Church Hall (Term Time only) | Sale | 0161 962 0082 |
| 1st & 3rd Fridays | 13:00-14:30 | Singing for the Brain | Alzheimer’s Society Humphrey Pk, Hub | Urmston | 0161 477 6999 |
| Alt Sat | 10:00 | Dementia and Parkinson’s Cafe | Larkhill Centre | Timperley | 07731 795418 |
How Home Instead Altrincham Can Support You
At Home Instead, we’re here to make your caregiving journey easier. We offer care plans that are tailored to your family’s needs—whether it’s in-home support a few times a week or Live In care. Our Care Professionals are trained in Alzheimer’s care and many have taken our City & Guild course. We can help with everything from daily tasks to providing companionship and maybe a little time out for you..
- Personalised Care Plans: We work with families to develop care that fits your loved one’s unique needs,this could be prompting for showers or a bath, helping with a shave, having clean clothes available and breakfast made. We adjust these plans as things change, so you always have the right support.
- Respite Care: You don’t have to do it alone. We offer respite care so you can take a break, rest, and look after yourself while knowing your loved one is in safe hands. This might enable you to get to work or go to the class you enjoy or even take a trip that you promised yourself.
- Compassionate, Trained Care Professionals: Our team is trained to handle the challenges of Alzheimer’s care and really get to know you and the way you like things to be done our Care Professionals do all this with understanding, respect, and kindness and are supported by a great team back in the office (based in Broadheath), who can come out to visit, train and assess whenever changes or extra care is required. We’re here to help your loved one stay safe, comfortable, and engaged, while giving you peace of mind,
Let’s Have a Chat
If you’re feeling unsure about the next steps, we’re always here to talk. Whether it’s understanding more about Alzheimer’s, finding local resources, or exploring how we can support you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You don’t have to go through this alone—let’s figure it out together.
