“Self-managing, what does it actually mean?”

– by Anne MacDonald

“Hi, it’s Anne from Glasgow.

‘Self-managing’. What does it actually mean? We need to be careful of the language, as it implies that people with dementia manage to do everything for themselves.

In reality, if we did not have someone to set the alarm, help with dressing issues, make sure that food is available, and so many things everyone else takes for granted. So we are not self-managed. Take away our husbands, our wives, our friends.

The 3,000 younger people living in Scotland under 65 are terrified of falling into the black hole of pillars 6 and 7. As there appears to be no resources in place, how do we live in our community? Personal care plans which give Government statistics can not be measured by a tick box.

My example: yes, I understand my diagnosis and what this means to me, no pillar being placed at this. I researched and self-diagnosed and chose to be proactive and positive. The real facts need to be in the plan. Should the evaluation of the pillar structure be carried out by those who put it in place? And not as an external body, but with people with dementia and carers involved, wouldn’t that be more appropriate? As we know whether it is working or not.”

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