Dementia

A diagnosis of Memory loss can mean that the individual and their carers can better prepare for the future. There will be better management of the condition and access to specialist resources once a diagnosis is made. There may be financial benefits that can be applied for and legal administration to have in place to safeguard the individual and their assets.

If there is doubt about a person’s memory or cognition, then a visit to the GP should be the first step to rule out any other causes. The GP can conduct some tests (blood, urine and memory tests) They will ask questions about how everyday tasks are managed and discuss any concerns an individual or their family/ friends may have. A support person can be present to assist the patient to understand the appointment and help to answer any questions.

The GP will then determine if a referral to the Memory Assessment Service is appropriate. The specialists in the Memory Assessment Service can conduct further tests to diagnose the memory impairment and can explain the outcomes and the next steps in detail. 

Once a referral to the Memory Assessment Service is made the patient can be supported by the “Dementia co-ordinator service” ran by the organisation “Help and Care”. They have separate teams for Pre- diagnosis and post-diagnosis, to support individuals and their Carers in understanding the process of the assessment service and signpost to community support. 

Both the Alzheimer’s society and Dementia UK have trained individuals on hand to answer questions and queries.

Once an individual has been referred to the Memory Assessment Team, they should be contacted by the pre-diagnosis team at the Dementia Co-Ordinator service. They will support and guide individuals through the assessment process and provide support during the period of time before a diagnosis is made. 

When a diagnosis is confirmed the Dementia Post-diagnosis team are involved to provide a continuous point of contact, advice and signpost to community support. 

If you need to contact the Dementia Co-Ordinator service, you can call 0300 123 1916 or Visit the Help and Care website.

Visit the Dorset Healthcare Dementia care website.

The benefit of having a diagnosis of Dementia is that there is clarity on an individual’s situation and having the understanding and knowledge can be useful in thinking ahead to the future. 

Future Care Planning should be looked at now to ensure that the individuals wishes are recorded. Talking about preferences for future care, making advance decisions for medical treatment or the refusal of. Considering representatives for lasting power of attorneys for health and/or financial decisions in the event of capacity changes.

A care needs assessment can be useful to an individual with Dementia to identify any areas in which they may need support to continue to live independently and to ensure continued quality of life. If an individual required support to meet the personal care needs, then a financial assessment will be completed as well to determine if there is a need for the Council to fund this provision. Dorset residents can contact the Adult Access team directly to arrange this.

• Telephone: 01305 221016. 

Carers for those with Dementia can also request a Carer assessment by contacting the Adult Access team. Please also see the Carers resource sheet for more information.

If an individual is over state pension age and needs support daily with their diagnosis, then they will be eligible for Attendance Allowance. 

Visit the Attendance Allowance page on GOV.UK.

Its valuable for people living with dementia and those around them to have access to learning opportunities to gain knowledge and understanding of the diagnosis.

Having the opportunity to access support clubs and classes specifically for those living with Dementia can be invaluable in improving the quality of life for individuals and their carers. Below is a list of clubs that are currently running for those affected by Dementia.

Both the Alzheimer’s society and Dementia UK have trained individuals on hand to answer questions and queries.

Dealing with a diagnosis of Dementia or caring for a loved one affected by the disease can be a difficult time. Counselling and talking therapy can be a good first step in managing feelings and expectations. Below are a few services that individuals can self-refer to. If further assistance is needed in respect to Mental health, do contact the GP or Social Prescribing team direct.