'Take action when dementia is suspected!'

If you yourself, your partner or a family member are struggling with forgetfulness, memory problems or dementia, a care pathway counselor such as Karlijn Toll is happy to offer a helping hand.

Care pathway supervisors support people with (incipient) dementia and their informal caregivers. Karlijn, who works for the dementia network and is employed by Zuidzorg: 'We work closely with the general practitioner, the primary care assistant and the geriatrician (expert in Health for the elderly). As care pathway supervisor, I coordinate Health around the client. Also, as long as the client lives at home, I am the point of contact throughout the course of the illness. Our assistance is low-threshold. People don't have to come to us, we come to people's homes. The first thing I do is 'read' the home situation. Together we then look at how we can maintain normalcy as much as possible.'

Five functions
Even in the early stages of dementia, the support of a care pathway counselor makes sense, Karlijn says. 'After all, it is often not easy to convince someone with incipient dementia that an examination is necessary and that help should be sought.' A care pathway counselor, according to Karlijn, performs five functions: adjuster, care mediator, Health applicant and coordinator, enquirer and, finally, confidant. 'Clients and caregivers sometimes can't see the wood for the trees. They often don't know what help they can get and how to apply for it. We do know. We are aware of the laws and regulations and give independent advice so that people can make a good choice. If desired, we also apply for the desired Health on behalf of the client.'

Ring the bell!
What facilities are available? Karlijn: "Think about a meal service, domestic help, home care, home adjustment or a walking buddy and Automaatje Nuenen. But beware: the waiting times for applications are long, sometimes up to eight weeks. So: is dementia suspected? Then go to the family doctor. Don't think: we can keep this up for a while, because if it really isn't possible anymore, it can take a long time before you're at the neighborhood. So ring the bell in time!

In the next episode, center manager Henry van Vlerken talks about what downtown business owners are doing to make Nuenen dementia-friendly(er).