I love making you laugh because, for those few seconds, I made you happy..
At St Albans, we pride ourselves on being as inclusive as possible, looking at a person holistically, covering all aspects of their needs and taking their wishes into account.
Our dementia programme is designed with this in mind and offers free impartial and confidential advice, support and help both pre and post diagnosis to anyone living with dementia and/or their carers and family members.
We can assist with understanding diagnosis, planning for the future, financial implications and entitlements, support accessing services, understanding your rights, Power of Attorney, what happens next and more. We can also offer information and advice on possible solutions when a person with dementia has specific issues e.g. incontinence problems, trouble recognising familiar faces, changing behaviours etc.
Our qualified staff can support you to navigate your way around NHS services and ensure you receive the support you need.
Referrals can be made via the “Single Point of Access”
Call the service on 01902 826 655 This can be done as a self-referral, by an individual’s family member/ carer or by their GP or other organisation.
You can also make contact by email to: bcicb.dementiasupport@nhs.net
After entering the ‘Single Point of Access’, the individual will be offered a triage assessment by a Dementia Navigator. Whilst liaising with the GP, a screening test will be completed alongside other assessments where appropriate. From here, a Community Dementia Advisor and Dementia Navigator will partner to develop a support plan according to the person’s needs. A range of support can be offered to make sure the individual with dementia is living well. A person’s needs may change and so the Community Dementia Advisor will be there for the entirety of the person’s dementia journey; giving support wherever is needed.
Support services will come from St Albans and other service providers under the Sandwell Community Dementia Support Service. In addition to this, services run by community organisations will be signposted to ensure the person with dementia and their carers are receiving the personalised support that they require within their local area.
Overall, the aim is to ensure that people living with dementia and their carers are supported and living well. We will also work towards establishing localised dementia friendly communities by empowering organisations and towns to become more inclusive. What is dementia?
Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for adults, social care and health, said: “Living with dementia or worries about your health can be very challenging and result in feelings of loneliness and isolation. Sandwell Community Dementia Service will work with individuals to seek a clear and early diagnosis of their condition, before delivering tailored interventions, helping people to make informed decisions about the support and care they receive.”
Councillor Maria Crompton, Deputy Leader, said: “We want the people of Sandwell to live well for longer. We are working with our voluntary and community sector partners to create community-based opportunities – such as Sandwell Community Dementia Service – that will ensure the support is in place so that our residents can live healthy lives with their friends and families.” The partners represent the towns of Sandwell as follows:
Smethwick – St Albans Community Association
Wednesbury – Age UK Sandwell
West Bromwich – West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre
Tipton – Murray Hall Community Trust
Rowley Regis – Agewell CIC
Oldbury – BUDS
Other partners include the Alzheimer’s Society who provide a Specialist Community Dementia Advisor for early onset dementia and rare types of dementias. The Alzhemier’s Society are also providing the Dementia Connect service which service users can access 7 days a week, including when the Sandwell Community Dementia Support Service is out of hours.
The contact details are as follows: Telephone at: 01902 826 655 Email: bcicb.dementiasupport@nhs.net
For out-of-hours, evenings, and weekends, please call Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Connect on 0333 150 3456.
For more information please see the links below:
St Albans are proud to be members of NAPA (National Association for Providers of Activities for Older People).
NAPA is the only voluntary organisation dedicated to increasing the profile and understanding of the activity needs for older people, and equipping staff with the skills to enable older people to enjoy a range of activity whilst living in care settings
