At work and leaving work
It may be possible for the person with dementia to continue working for a while even after diagnosis. This is dependent on how dementia affects them and what their job involves. It is essential to inform the employer and discuss the responsibilities, risks, advantages and disadvantages of continuing work. Competence at work can then be judged in the light of the person's condition and potential risks assessed.
Disability employment advice
Perhaps the person with dementia could move to an appropriate job with the same employer or work with additional support. If a less demanding job means that income drops then it is important to work out the repercussions of this on current finances and pension entitlement. The disability employment service helps tailor support packages under the Access to Work scheme and negotiates with the employer. Ask for the Disability Employment Adviser at your local Jobcentre Plus office.
When it is time to leave work it is important to negotiate the early retirement or retirement/dismissal due to sickness terms with the employer. Much depends on the individual's terms and conditions, the employer and any pension agreement that is applicable. The trade union, if there is one, should be contacted as the local representative may be able to negotiate on behalf of the person with dementia with the employer. Many large industries and public sector employers have benevolent funds that can be applied to in the event of financial hardship.
Pensions
It may be possible to encourage the employer to enhance the person's pension rights if early retirement on the grounds of ill health occurs. Again a union representative may be able to assist here too. The state retirement pension is payable on retirement age (currently 60 for women and 65 for men) if sufficient national insurance contributions have been paid. When early retirement occurs through ill health or caring for someone then claiming National Insurance credits may protect the right to a state pension.
Carer's employment
There are many employment issues for the carer which need careful consideration. For people in full or part-time employment, it may be possible to negotiate reduced or flexible hours of working. All employees now have the right to take a reasonable period off work to deal with an emergency involving a dependant person. With a network of dependable day and home services, it may be possible to continue working to some extent. Employment is not just a source of finance and occupation; it often provides necessary social contact and intellectual stimulation and continuing work in some form may be beneficial.
Advocacy
Any individual with dementia may need the support of an independent person to ensure that his or her interests and preferences are acknowledged and addressed.
Advocacy for people of all ages with dementia is available in Oxfordshire through ADAPt : All-age Dementia Advocacy Project.
Referrals can be accepted via any route, e.g. self, carer, professional, etc.
Contact details:
ADAPt Advocacy worker
Barton Neighbourhood Centre
Underhill Circus
Headington
OXFORD
OX3 9LS
Open 9.00am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday
Tel.: 01865 742745
Fax: 01865 761546
Email: [email protected]
Advocacy Worker: Julia Harmer-Hunt
Management Group: Oxfordshire Advocacy Development
Group
Acknowledgment
The majority of the text on this page has been extracted, with permission, from Information for younger people with dementia (PDF format, 240KB), an information resource produced by The Clive Project.
