Living with dementia
Living with dementia
If you have just had a diagnosis
The first four things you should do are:
- Contact the Alzheimer’s Society (local contact details below) to see what local help and support is available
- Contact Age UK who will talk you through what benefits you are entitled to and help you fill out the forms.
- Complete a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), particularly if you are a house–owner.
- Contact the Carer’s Centre to see what carer support and respite is available.
Dementia Aware Organisations
These organisations have started to become dementia aware. It is not exhaustive and will be updated regularly.
Please click here to see the list.
Dementia Wellbeing Service
The Dementia Wellbeing Service is a partnership between Alzheimer’s Society and Devon Partnership NHS Trust. They are responsible for delivering dementia services in Bristol. The service has been designed to deliver a more personalised package of support for those living with dementia.
They cover all aspects of dementia care, from diagnosis to end-of–life providing support and guidance every step of the way. For carers and families they also provide practical and emotional training, advice and support.
If you need any advice on referral or have any general enquiries about the Dementia Wellbeing Service you can call their Access Point on 0117 904 5151 Mon – Friday 08:00-18:00
Alzheimer’s Society
Local Services:
Suite A Verona House
Filwood Road
Fishponds, Bristol
BS16 3RY
Tel: 0117 961 0693
Click the buttons below to go to the Alzheimer’s Society website, Facebook or Twitter!
The Alzheimer’s Society provides a range of support services for people with dementia, their families and their carers:
- Carers support groups (in various locations)
- Dementia support services
- Peer support group for people with dementia living independently
- Singing for the Brain ©
- Memory cafés
- Activity groups
- Tea dance
Age UK
Tel: 0117 922 5353
The Carer’s Centre
(If you Care, we Care)
The Carers Support Centre provides services for carers of all ages, including:
- Carers emergency card
- Confidential telephone support line
- One-to-one support and carers’ groups
- Activities for carers to take some time out
- Short breaks service and carers holidays
- Training for carers and professionals
- Counselling service
- Support for young carers
Tel: 0117 939 2562https://www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk/
How can I live well with dementia?
When a person is diagnosed with dementia it can mean that some aspects of their life will change, but not necessarily everything or immediately. People with dementia and their carers can often have a lot more living to do and still enjoy, what is usually understood as “normal” activities. Organisations listed below offer help and support to do this
Bristol City Council
Bristol City Council is running a project to include people with dementia in all community activities.
Head of Adult Social CareCity Hall
College Green
Bristol
BS1 5TR
Tel: 0117 922 2000
Integrated Carers Team
“Bristol City Council and the NHS have come together as partners to continue and improve their support for carers. Now they’ve pooled the money available, and set up the Integrated Carers Team to respond to your needs”. (Bristol City Council Pamphlet)
For information on how the team can help:
www.bristol.gov.uk/carers
Tel: 0117 352 1668
Also supported by the Carers Support Centre
Tel: 0117 965 2200
Reminiscence
This is a small, informal group of people who meet to share memories, with the help of music/film/artefacts. Members of the group don’t get out much, and may have a diagnosis dementia or other health condition affecting their mental capacity.
This church also runs a group for carers.
Meet at:
Waterford Rd
Henleaze
Bristol
BS9 4BT
For more information, please contact:
Monica Rudston
Tel: 0117 942 6095
E mail: rudston@btinternet.com
Well Aware & The Care Forum
Your guide to health, wellbeing and community services in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset and Somerset.
For more information on services offered, please ring free on 0808 808 5252.
Well Aware is a free telephone service operating on :-
- Monday to Wednesday from 9am to 5pm
- Thursday and Friday from 9am to 7pm
- Saturday morning from 10am to 1pm.
Sporting Memories Network
There six Sporting Memories reminiscence groups up and running around the City and they are looking for people to attend. The project and the Groups are funded by Bristol City Council and South Glos Council and are free to participants.
The Tyndale Circle Day Centre (For people with Memory Loss)
Imperial Rd. Entrance, Tyndale Baptist Church, Whiteladies Rd, Bristol, BS8 2QGTel: 0117 973 7747 (Thursdays)
The Centre provides help for those diagnosed with dementia and associated conditions, by providing a Day Care Centre every Thursday from 09.30am – 15.00pm for up to twelve members. For more information please contact:
Organiser: Mrs Margaret Spiller
16, Barrowmead Drive,
Lawrence Weston,
Bristol,
BS11 0JG
Tel: 0117 949 7650
email: mbspiller@blueyonder.co.uk
Assistant Organiser: Mrs Maureen Sutton
92 Brentry Lane
Brentry
Bristol
BS10 6RQ
Tel: 117 985 1452
Reminiscence Learning
A training experience in Dementia Care, Activity & Reminiscence
This offers Specialist Training in:
- Dementia care
- Planning activities
- Reminiscence Therapy
- Training courses for all levels of ability.
- Professional and educational yet fun, practical and thought provoking.
Horizon Centre Swing bridge
Bathpool
Taunton
Somerset
TA2 8BYTel: 01823 323752 or 433720
email: office@reminiscencelearning.co.uk
Helpful aids for people Living with Dementia
Bristol Brunel Lions Club
Lions provide a “Message in a Bottle” absolutely free.
The person with dementia (or their carer) places their relevant personal and medical details in a specially designed and marked bottle. The bottle is then placed in the fridge where the emergency services expect to find it in the event of an emergency. More details on website.
Western Power Distribution
Sometimes power cuts can happen for reasons beyond our control. This can be particularly worrying if you rely on electricity for medical equipment, or if you are elderly, very ill or disabled. This is where the Priority Services Register can help. The Priority Services Register is free to join. It helps Western Power to support customers who have extra communication, access, or safety needs.
We Care Home Improvements
We Care is a local not-for-profit organisation that has been maintaining homes and providing advice for over 27 years.
Hide Market
Waterloo St
St Phillips
Bristol
BS2 0BH
21 Somerset Square
Nailsea
North Somerset
BS48 1RQ
Tel: 0300 323 0700
email: info@wecr.org.uk