RICE holds courses specifically for the carers of individuals with memory problems and/or dementia. The course consists of 4 sessions which are usually held over four consecutive Friday afternoons. These run from 1.30pm to 3.30 pm at the RICE Centre building at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

They also offer a sitting service so if your relative or friend wants to come along, members of our staff (nurses and psychologists) can look after them while you attend the course. They usually organise some games / activities or just chat and have refreshments.

RICE Carers Courses aim to increase a carer’s knowledge of:

• Current medical thinking on the cause of memory impairment
• How individuals with memory problems are diagnosed
• What services and benefits are available to them and the people they care for
• The roles of different professional staff
• Possible problems associated with memory impairment
• Simple strategies to help care for an individual with memory problems.

An example of a previous carers course programme:

Week 1

1) What is dementia? – RICE medical doctor
2) Legal aspects of being a carer – A local solicitor

Week 2

1) Who cares for the carer? – The Carers Support Network
2) Caring and coping – A local psychiatrist

Week 3

1) Day care – The Peggy Dodd Centre
2) Benefits and allowances – Age concern

Week 4

1) Memory problems in dementia and what we can do – RICE Neuropsychologist
2) Assistive Technologies – Bath Institute of Medical Engineering (BIME)

For more information about courses or to provisionally book a place please contact RICE on 01225 476420 or email us on info@rice.org.uk