"Dementia Outreach Team"

My Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about 5 years ago ... we live in rural Stirling and have been looking after my Dad at home ... 

over the past 6 months - his condition has worsened a lot and we were referred to the Dementia Outreach Team (DOT) in Stirling ... I just wanted to thank the team ... they were a huge support ... my Dad is now in hospital and pending an assessment will go into long term care but it has been a tough few weeks and the DOT team were able to provide leadership, reassurance and direction for us .. the DOT is just a small team but they seemed to stretch their resources and worked extremely well together as a team ... 

on one day I would speak to one of the team - they would offer advice / arrange a visit and it might be that the next time I rang - that person wasn't available and I would be passed on to one of their colleagues - but that didn't matter - the team seemed to have shared updates so that they could offer a seamless service for us .. 

it also helped hugely that they have links with Social Care in Stirling and have a social worker seconded to the team ... 

Its been hard letting go and seeing my Dad in a Dementia ward having been such an outdoor / active person - but he's in the right place and although a lot slower / quieter - seems quite content ... 

I would like to record our thanks to the DOT team and recommend them to others who might perhaps feel isolated trying to deal with a family member with dementia on their own ..

big thanks to all