# Newbie

**URL:** <https://carersukstaging.discourse.group/t/newbie/68143>\
**Category:** New to Carers Connect\
**Created:** [3 March 2021 01:46 UTC](https://carersukstaging.discourse.group/t/newbie/68143 "2021-03-03T01:46:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Liz\_2103](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce73a5/32.png) [@Liz\_2103](https://carersukstaging.discourse.group/u/Liz_2103)\
**Post date:** [3 March 2021 01:46 UTC](https://carersukstaging.discourse.group/t/newbie/68143/1 "2021-03-03T01:46:05Z")

</div>

Hello!  
I thought I’d join in the hope of making some virtual friends for mutual support, advice and laughter! I’m a 45 year old only ‘child’ living with and caring for my 78 year old mum who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 3 years ago. We generally do ok but it’s nice to know we’re not alone 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Melly1](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/carersukstaging.discourse.group/melly1/32/34_2.png) [@Melly1](https://carersukstaging.discourse.group/u/Melly1)\
**Post date:** [3 March 2021 09:23 UTC](https://carersukstaging.discourse.group/t/newbie/68143/2 "2021-03-03T09:23:43Z")

</div>

Hi Liz and welcome,

Good you manage to have a giggle.

Do you know folk nearby?

You might like the cuppa for carers virtual meet-ups. Will post a link later if no one beats me to it.

Got to dash!!

Melly1

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bowlingbun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@bowlingbun](https://carersukstaging.discourse.group/u/bowlingbun)\
**Post date:** [3 March 2021 09:41 UTC](https://carersukstaging.discourse.group/t/newbie/68143/3 "2021-03-03T09:41:03Z")

</div>

Welcome to the forum. I always ask anyone new caring for someone with dementia two questions.  
Are you claiming Attendance Allowance for mum?  
Did you know that she is EXEMPT from Council Tax as dementia counts as “severe mental impairment”? It’s very easy to claim and can be backdated. Highest refund I’ve heard of so far is £8,000!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jane\_Carers\_UK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@Jane\_Carers\_UK](https://carersukstaging.discourse.group/u/Jane_Carers_UK)\
**Post date:** [3 March 2021 09:48 UTC](https://carersukstaging.discourse.group/t/newbie/68143/4 "2021-03-03T09:48:03Z")

</div>

Hi Liz and welcome to the forum

You aren’t alone! I’m sure there are many on here in a very similar situation to yourself.

If you’d like to meet other carers online do join in our Care for a Cuppa sessions:

[https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/get-support/online-meetups](https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/get-support/online-meetups)

These are friendly informal sessions where carers take a bit of time for themselves to chat to others, we hope to see you there.

Best wishes

Jane