Introduction
This practice is working to become dementia friendly and has committed to work with the Alzheimer’s Society to make improvements, where appropriate and possible, to their systems, culture, diagnosis and care and physical environment.
Alzheimer’s Society is there for anyone affected by dementia. See below for ways that you can access expert information and support:
- Visit their website www.alzheimers.org.uk
- Call the National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 122
- Sign up to Talking Point an online community for anyone affected by dementia www.alzheimers.org.uk/talkingpoint
- Lincolnshire Dementia Family Support Service (DFSS) is available by calling 01522 692681, emailing lincolnshiredfss@alzheimers.org.uk or ask your health professional (Doctor, Nurse, Associate Practitioner, Occupational Therapist) to refer you so that you can access information and practical guidance from one of Alzheimer’s Society’s support workers either face to face, over the phone or in writing
If you are caring for someone with dementia it is important for you to have access to information and support as well. You can access the DFSS (see above). Please ensure the Practice knows you are a Carer, see the Carers section of the Practice website or ask to speak to the Carer’s Champion.
If you or a family member has dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), we can help you get the support you need.
The Dementia Support Service
The service gives you access to a support worker who will provide guidance and advice throughout all stages of your dementia journey.
Support workers are based in the community, working from the different memory clinics across the county. The service accepts referrals from the public and professionals in health and social care (eg. GPs).
The service helps people to:
- live as well as possible with the condition, promoting wellbeing
- live in the local community for as long as possible
- understand the diagnosis process and what a diagnosis could mean for them
- prevent avoidable admission to long-term residential care or hospital
- build resilience and confidence regarding forthcoming stages of the dementia journey
- benefit from the range of carers support services to sustain the caring role
- navigate the social and health care system
- understand the importance of planning for the future and how they can plan for the future early in the dementia journey.
To make a referral, email Lpn-tr.dementiasupportservice@nhs.net or call 0303 123 4000.
Local groups and activities (Alzheimer’s Society led where indicated)
- Alzheimer’s Society Grantham Dementia café Alive Church, Castlegate, Grantham third Tuesday of every month 1.30-3.30pm
- Alzheimer’s Society Sleaford Dementia café The Source, Sleaford second and fourth Wednesday of every month 10.00am-12.00 noon
- Alzheimer’s Society Side by Side – volunteers helping people with Dementia to continue to do the things they love, please contact Alzheimer’s Society’s Lincolnshire office on 01522 692681 for more details
- Alzheimer’s Society Carers Information and Support Programme – please contact Alzheimer’s Society’s Lincolnshire office on 01522 692681 for more details.
Useful information about dementia
If you are worried about your memory or someone else’s memory the first thing to do is make an appointment with your GP. There are many reasons why someone may be showing signs similar to dementia, Dementia is not just about losing your memory. The word 'dementia' describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss but can also affect the way you think, speak, perceive things, feel and behave.
Dementia is not a natural part of ageing. It doesn’t just affect older people. Over 40,000 people under 65 in the UK have dementia.
Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain. There are many different types of dementia and everyone’s dementia is different. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. The specific symptoms that someone with dementia experiences will depend on the parts of the brain that are damaged and the disease that is causing the dementia.
People can still live well with dementia. Although there is no cure for dementia, scientists and researchers are working hard to find one. People with dementia can continue to lead an active, purposeful life and carry on doing the things that matter to them most.