We support the Carers of people with dementia, whether they have received a diagnosis or are waiting for one.
Through our training programmes, specialist peer support groups and specialist Key Worker we help Carers through their journey. We also work closely with local services and organisations to ensure that Carers receive the right information at the right time.
About Dementia
What is Dementia?
Dementia is not a specific disease. It’s a term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills. It is called dementia if the decline is severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.
Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. There are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia. Some of these are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies.
Dementia affects around 850,000 people in the UK. It usually occurs in people aged over 65, but it’s not a natural part of ageing. Dementia need not stop you living a full and fulfilling life. Many people with dementia continue to work, have hobbies and socialise.
Dementia Symptoms
Dementia is often associated with memory loss but different types of dementia can have a variety of symptoms. These are some of the possible symptoms of dementia:
• Memory loss
• Difficulty with tasks that need organisation and planning
• Becoming confused about place or time, particularly in unfamiliar environments
• Difficulty finding the right words or following conversations
• Changes in personality and mood
• Difficulty judging distance or seeing objects differently to how they are
• Hallucinations and delusions
• Muscle wasting, changes to balance and posture or difficulty in physical movement
You can find more information about the symptoms of each type of dementia on the NHS Choices website.
The Alzheimer’s Research UK website has a helpful visual diagram that allows you to tour the brain. You can find out how dementia can affect different areas of the brain.
If you are worried about memory loss
It is important to know that there are many reasons for memory loss apart from dementia. Many of us become more forgetful as we get older and need a bit longer to remember things. For most people, these changes will be the result of normal ageing and won’t be down to dementia. Stress, tiredness, illness and some medication can also affect your memory.
If you are concerned about memory loss, you should visit your GP. Dementia is a progressive disease; the symptoms get worse over time. It is important to get a diagnosis as soon as possible. You may be able to get treatment to slow down the progress of the disease. This will also allow you more time to plan for the future and to access support to help you live well with the condition.
Your GP may want to refer you on for further tests. This referral could be to a community mental health team made up of a number of different specialists. They may carry out a scan or more in-depth memory tests. If you are diagnosed with dementia, they will be able to plan your care with you. This could include medication, memory courses and signposting to other services. Your GP will also be informed about your assessment and will then carry out a yearly review with you.
If you are worried that someone you know may have dementia, NHS Choices and the Alzheimer’s Society have tips for starting a conversation with them about your concerns.
There may be equipment which may help you with memory loss and staying independent. The Alzheimer’s Society have an online shop.
If you have been diagnosed with Dementia
If you, or a friend or relative, have recently been diagnosed with dementia, you may be feeling scared, anxious or sad. There is currently no “cure” for dementia but there are several drugs that could help
It is important to know that many people who have the condition lead active, fulfilling lives.
Advice, support and resources:
The Dementia Direct Service is available to residents living in North Lincolnshire and their family and Carers, whether or not they have had a diagnosis. The service focuses on wellbeing rather than illness and offers support and advice.
- The Living With Dementia Toolkit is a set of resources. It is based on research and the expert experiences of people with dementia and their carers.
- The Alzheimer’s Society offers a telephone support line – 0333 150 3456. They also have an online discussion forum, Talking Point, for anyone affected by dementia.
- “This is me” is a simple leaflet which you can download. It is for anyone receiving professional care who is living with dementia or experiencing other communication difficulties. It can be used to record details about a person who can’t easily share information about themselves.
- ‘My Home Helper‘ has been developed to help people who care for someone living with memory issues. It is simple to use tablet computer doesn’t need any interaction from the person living with dementia or memory issues.
- My House of Memories app is an easy to use app designed for, and with, people living with dementia and their families and carers. It allow you to explore objects from the past and share memories together.
Videos
Researchers at Loughborough University have produced a series of short ‘Dementia Persona’ videos to help people living with dementia and families to identify the level of care required at different stages of dementia:
- Alison, 70, early stages of dementia
- Barry, 74, more developed
- Christine, 82, progressive
- David, 85, severe
- Chris, 78, and Sally, 75 (carer)
The Ideal Project have made a film about a theatre production, The World Turned Upside Down, that takes a realistic look at dementia: what it can be like to live with dementia or care for a person with dementia.
Here is a collection of videos in Urdu and Arabic, put together by Age UK in Sheffield. They help raise awareness and understanding of Dementia, the diagnosis and helping those living with Dementia. If you need help or support, get in touch with Dementia Direct, the Dementia Advisory Service for North Lincolnshire. Get in touch via the contact form or call 01652 650585
Can Dementia be prevented?
There’s no certain way to prevent all types of dementia, as researchers are still investigating how the condition develops.
However, there’s good evidence that a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing dementia when you’re older.
A healthy lifestyle can also help prevent cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke and heart attacks, which are themselves risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia (the 2 most common types of dementia).
Volunteering to support people living with Dementia
Anyone who is keen to make a positive difference to the lives of people living with dementia can get involved with the work of Dementia Direct and the Carers’ Support Service. Please complete our volunteer application form, and make it clear you would like to support people living with Dementia. We very much look forward to hearing from you.
We are keen to hear form people who are interested in becoming Befrienders, and who would like to support some of our peer support groups.
Tools and Resources
Advice and Guidance
Dementia Adventure – Training, support and holidays, for people with Dementia and their Carers.
Alzheimer’s Society – Full of information, advice and guidance on all things Dementia related.
Dementia UK – A specialist Dementia Nurse Charity. They provide specialist support online and over the phone
NHS – A help and support guide for people with Dementia from the NHS.
Next Steps – Helping people find the right support, at the right time, while waiting for a memory assessment
Lewy Body Society – The Lewy Body Society, established in June 2006 in the UK, is the only charity in Europe exclusively concerned with dementia with Lewy bodies. The charity’s mission is to raise awareness of DLB for the general public and educate those in the medical profession and decision making positions
Home Care.co.uk – Subtle signs of Dementia
Useful Tools
Dementia Dictionary – A free service that helps you interpret the language of Dementia. As Dementia progresses our brains find new ways to communicate, via actions, noises, behaviours and body language.
Living with dementia toolkit – This set of resources is based on research, and the expert experiences of people with dementia and their carers.
These resources are here to:
- give you hope for the future
- inspire you through examples of real-life experiences
- offer ideas to help you live your life as you choose
DemTalk is a free, web-based toolkit to help improve communication with people with dementia.
It was produced in a project facilitated by the Alzheimer’s Society UK, by teams of stakeholders including communication researchers, technology designers, health and social care experts, carers and people living with dementia.
Different versions of the toolkit are tailored for the needs of different audiences, including family members, carers and medical professionals.
Reading Well – Books on Prescription at North Lincolnshire Libraries
Music for Dementia – Raising awareness of the important role music plays in Dementia care
This is me is a simple leaflet which you can download. It is for anyone receiving professional care who is living with dementia or experiencing other communication difficulties. It can be used to record details about a person who can’t easily share information about themselves.
My Home Helper has been developed to help people who care for someone living with memory issues. It is simple to use tablet computer doesn’t need any interaction from the person living with dementia or memory issues.
My House of Memories app is an easy to use app designed for, and with, people living with dementia and their families and carers. It allow you to explore objects from the past and share memories together.
Healthwatch – what should you expect after a dementia diagnosis provides a checklist of what to expect after a dementia diagnosis and next steps
Welfare Benefits
Benefits for people affected by dementia – Information and support from the Alzheimer’s Society
Information from Age UK – Benefits you are entitled to could help with the additional costs of living with dementia such as care or travel costs or provide support if you are a carer.
Legal Advice
Pathways through Dementia – Pathways Through Dementia provides free, accurate legal and financial information to support people living with dementia.
Whether you’re a person diagnosed with dementia, a carer or family member, they help you to make the best decisions you can for yourself and/or the person you’re caring for.
Telecare - assistive technology
Care Call – NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE – Information about assistive technology to help with independent living including personal alarms, pendant alarms, sensors for monitoring movement, reassurance and reminder calls, key safes and more.
Carelink – NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE – NEL (North East Lincolnshire) Carelink support vulnerable people using telecare to help them stay at home. We provide various telecare equipment which our highly trained staff can explain and demonstrate as well as install. We have a monitoring centre – we are here 24/7, 365 days a year – if they need help or reassurance, just call. We are just a button away to be able to provide the individual and family/carers peace of mind.
Bridgit Care – Hand picked products and services that support independence at home, support a Carers caring role and help with peace of mind.
Nutrition
Jelly Drops – Jelly Drops are an innovative sugar-free treat, made of 95% water, designed to increase fluid intake. Popular with people with dementia, the elderly & others who struggle to stay hydrated.
Nourish by Jane Clarke – Dementia can affect desire and ability to eat in many ways. Use these simple strategies to help prompt a poor appetite and develop calming mealtime routines. You’ll also find nourishing recipes developed to help support health issues related to dementia.
Videos
Let’s talk about Dementia – A video for young people, about what to expect when a loved one is living with Dementia, from Dementia UK.
Researchers at Loughborough University have produced a series of short ‘Dementia Persona’ videos to help people living with dementia and families to identify the level of care required at different stages of dementia:
- Alison, 70, early stages of dementia
- Barry, 74, more developed
- Christine, 82, progressive
- David, 85, severe
- Chris, 78, and Sally, 75 (carer)
The Ideal Project have made a film about a theatre production, The World Turned Upside Down, that takes a realistic look at dementia: what it can be like to live with dementia or care for a person with dementia.
Here is a collection of videos in Urdu and Arabic, put together by Age UK in Sheffield. They help raise awareness and understanding of Dementia, the diagnosis and helping those living with Dementia. If you need help or support, get in touch with Dementia Direct, the Dementia Advisory Service for North Lincolnshire. Get in touch via the contact form or call 01652 650585
- What are the signs of Dementia – Urdu
- Why should i get diagnosed with Dementia – Urdu
- Am I a Dementia Carer – Urdu
- How can I help someone in my family with Dementia? – Urdu
- What are the signs of Dementia – Arabic
- Why should I get diagnosed with Dementia – Arabic
- Am I a Dementia Carer – Arabic
- How can I help someone in my family with Dementia? – Arabic
Dementia UK have a range of videos on their YouTube channel, covering a range of topics such as:
Understanding Dementia – A programme for Carers
Understanding Dementia is a popular and highly rated four part programme designed especially for Carers. These free workshops develop your understanding of dementia to benefit you and the person you care for.
Check the What’s On or call us to find our when the next programme will be.
North Lincolnshire
Carer Peer Support Groups
We run monthly peer support groups for people with dementia, and there’s no need to have received a diagnosis to come along.
You can choose to attend the face to face meeting or the virtual one. Or both! There is always a member of staff present and will regularly invite speakers too.
Check What’s On or call us on 01652 650585 to find out when the groups next meet.
North East Lincolnshire
Virtual Carer Peer Support Group
We run a monthly virtual peer support group for people with dementia, and there’s no need to have received a diagnosis to attend
There is always a member of staff present and will regularly invite speakers too.
Check What’s On or call us on 01472 242277 for more information.
Your local Dementia Advisory Service
The Carers’ Support Service is the home of Dementia Direct, the new Dementia Advisory Service for North Lincolnshire. The service launches on the 3rd January 2023.
We are currently putting together our service offer and building our website. From January we will provide:
- 1:1 support either via telephone or face to face, dependent on need
- Peer support groups and facilitate Memory Café’s in North Lincolnshire.
- Training and education for Carers.
- Post Diagnostic support for people diagnosed with dementia.
- Access to information and signposting.
If you would like to get in touch before the service launches, we will contact you in the new year. Complete the contact form.
The Dementia Direct website can be accessed by clicking Dementia Direct at the top left of this page.
Your local Dementia Advisory Service
The Alzheimer’s Society can support you and the person you are caring for in North East Lincolnshire. They offer advice and support and now virtual Carer Information & Support Programmes (CrISP), Singing For The Brain and Memory Cafes.
For more information about the Alzheimer’s Society and what support they can provide, call 01472 359247.
Navigo & Admiral Nurses
Admiral Nurses work in partnership with family carers and people with dementia, we provide emotional and psychological support and guidance about accessing services.
Call the Single Point of Access on 01472 256256.
Further Support
TIDE (Together in Dementia Everyday)
Peggy’s – Peggy’s provides home care and day care for individuals and couples living with older age, frailty and/or dementia. They also have a memory café every Thursday at Peggys Place. 10am to 12pm. for more details call 01724 808108. You can keep up-to-date via their Facebook page.
See our useful websites section for more sources of support and information.
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