Dementia
What is dementia?
Becoming more forgetful is one of the things that can happen as we get older. There are many reasons this can happen, showing the first signs of dementia is one of them. This can show in many ways including:
- increasing difficulties with tasks and activities that require concentration and planning
- depression
- changes in personality and mood
- periods of mental confusion
- difficulty finding the right words
It is important you speak to a doctor if you or someone you love are having these difficulties. The cause may be something that can be treated. Most kinds of dementia can't be cured but the effects can be slowed down to keep people independent and active.
Help and support services
Below is a list of help and support services for those suffering from dementia, their families and carers:
Mental Health Services for Older People
If you or someone you care about is becoming confused or forgetful all the time, you should make an appointment with your family doctor (GP) who can refer you to mental health services for older people (external link).
This is a community based service offering assessment, treatment and support for people over the age of 65 living in the borough of Haringey who have on-going mental health difficulties. Also people experiencing mental illness for the first time or, who are becoming forgetful.
The Haynes Dementia Hub
The Haynes Centre is a specialist dementia hub which provides different levels of support to those diagnosed with dementia.
- The day service provision is offered via social worker referrals to adults with a moderate or severe dementia diagnosis. To complete a referral, if you do not currently have a social worker, ask for a needs assessment.
- The Day Opportunities Hub is open to everyone with a dementia diagnosis, including those who can support themselves and those who need to bring support with them (i.e. personal assistant, family member), with the aim of offering preventative and delaying activities. This can be accessed by self, family, GP or social worker referral. This is offered on a pay as you go basis.
- The Information Hub is open to everyone in Haringey seeking a support network, information and guidance around dementia, and the offers available across the borough.
The centre also supports the Haynes Relatives Support Group monthly meeting (the carers at the Haynes), and hosts monthly Tom’s Club which aims to provide a supportive and social environment for carers of people with dementia who are not accessing the Haynes centre as well as current users.
Contact address:
The Haynes Dementia Hub
London Borough of Haringey
151 Park Road
Hornsey
London
N8 8JD
Tel:
General Enquiries: 020 8489 5895
Key workers and Hub bookings: 020 8489 5925
Referrals: 020 8489 5927
Dementia Friends
Even small actions and changed perceptions will improve the wellbeing of the 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK - not to mention the life of their carers!
The Alzheimer's Society is committed to creating one million new dementia friends by next year.
Anyone of any age can join and help them hit the target - sign up on the Dementia Friends Website (external link).
The Alzheimers Society
Singing for the Brain is a fun and social activity for people with dementia. You can also attend with a friend, family member or carer. There is a warm up activity involving easy stretching exercises (some light arm and leg and hand warm-ups. People with mobility problems do not need to take part in the warm up exercises if they prefer not to).
These sessions are free and refreshments are also provided. Sessions take place on Thursdays from 2-4pm at the Irish Centre, Pretoria Road, N17 8DX.
Please note this activity runs on a term by term basis. Contact the Alzheimers Society Haringey for information on term start and end dates:
- Tel 020 8937 7171 or email haringey@alzheimers.org.uk
Other community support services
You can search on Haricare for local community services to help people with dementia and their carers. These include:
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