Nursing times

Colin Dugdale, BSc, RMN, RGN, dementia trailblazer, NHS Executive North West. As a community mental health nurse team leader I was seconded to the NHS Executive North West for the role of dementia trailblazer to develop the Admiral Nurse Service in the north-west of England.

Many people with dementia are cared for by family members, who will receive little advice or support. This article describes a course developed to help carers deal with frustrating and challenging behaviour. The course provides an overview of dementia, provides coping strategies for carers and introduces cares to mindfulness meditation to help them deal with stress.