Dementia

An application is required to the Court of Protection by the person seeking to control your finances. More information concerning this can be obtained from the Office of the Public Guardian. Visit www.publicguardian.gov.uk

An Appointee

An application can be made to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for someone to act as your Appointee. This allows them to receive all your benefits on your behalf. An application will need to be made by the person Further details can be found on the Department of Health and Social Care’s website, www.dh.gov.uk and the DWP website, www.dwp.gov.uk

It may also be possible for your local council to assist in looking after your finances by becoming the Appointee or Deputy. Please contact your local council’s Customer Service Centre for further advice. See page 5.

Dementia Care Advice Service

Northamptonshire Carers is the central point of contact for the Dementia Care Advice Service, in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society Northamptonshire. The Dementia Care Advice Service offers support for the person living with dementia and/or their carer.

The support line can offer an understanding ear and practical advice. Family carers are also entitled to an assessment of their needs which can take place by phone, online or face-to-face in their own home. This will look at their individual needs – which may include planning for the future or managing a stressful situation – and may result in a referral for respite or being signposted to specialist organisations, such as for benefit advice or for services and support. Northamptonshire Carers also supports people living with other long-term conditions. Furthermore, it can signpost to other services such as regulated care.

By working in partnership, Northamptonshire Carers offers a wider variety of services including support groups, access to leisure activities and peer supporters (people who have been carers themselves) who can follow up with families beyond the assessment stage.

Carers’ support line: 01933 677907 Email: carers@northamptonshire-carers.org Web: www.northamptonshire-carers.org Write to: Northamptonshire Carers, The Anne Goodman Centre for Carers, 123 Midland Road, Wellingborough NN8 1LU

Alzheimer’s Society

Alzheimer’s Society local services provide information and support for you and for people diagnosed with dementia. For all these services, please email northamptonshire@alzheimers.org.uk

You can also call Dementia Connect on 0333 150 3456 or log onto the online forum at www.alzheimers.org.uk/talkingpoint to chat with people who may be in a similar situation to you.

Singing for the Brain®

These weekly sessions bring people together in a friendly and fun environment to enjoy singing familiar songs and sometimes learn new ones. The sessions are usually attended by the person with dementia along with a family member or carer like you. For details of times/locations, please contact

northamptonshire@alzheimers.org.uk

Dementia Support – one-to-one service

Personalised information and guidance to help people navigate the maze of information and services after a dementia diagnosis. Trained staff can work with you and people living with dementia to help understand the diagnosis. Staff can also make you aware of things you may like to consider, such as finances, support at home, how to access activities, and respite. Staff can also complete statutory carers’ assessments on behalf of Northamptonshire County Council.

Memory Matters

Keeping an active social life is key to helping someone with dementia feel happy and motivated.

Activities include something for everyone and are respectful, creative, innovative, multi-sensory and fun. Activities are supported by skilled staff, encouraging someone with dementia to do something creative and realise their potential, improving self-esteem and reducing loneliness.

Caring for someone with dementia can be extremely difficult, so having emotional support and practical advice from someone who understands what you’re going through might be beneficial.

Memory Matters offers a reassuring, confidential and safe place to talk to others about how dementia affects your life. Come along and make new friends, share experiences and be honest, without fear or embarrassment. Get tips from group members on how to support someone with dementia, as well as how to keep looking after yourself, and have your questions answered by our highly skilled, compassionate and experienced staff who run the sessions.

Venues for Memory Matters are held in Northampton, Kettering, Towcester, Daventry and Wellingborough.

Memory Assessment Service (MAS)

The aim of the service is to ensure quality assessments, diagnosis and care for people with dementia and their carers. This includes timely and equal access to services, provisions of evidencebased treatments, monitoring and follow-up. If dementia is diagnosed early, more can be done to delay progression of the disease.

The MAS includes the following:

• A single point of referral for all people with a possible diagnosis of dementia over the age of 65. • Supporting primary care to promote and facilitate early identification and referral of people with suspected dementia. • Provision of high-quality accurate diagnosis of dementia early in the course of the disease. • Communication of the diagnosis in a person-centred way to both the person with dementia and their carers. • Ensuring that people with dementia and their carers have appropriate information that allows them to manage their care more effectively within their pathway and understand how to access other appropriate assistance when required. • Engaging people with dementia and their carers in decisions about the care options available to them, including the development of advanced care plans. • Ensuring the service is readily accessible and meets the range of needs of the local population. • Ensuring continuity of care across pathways and integration with other care providers. • Promoting awareness of dementia and reducing stigmatisation. • Discussion about treatment and intervention options on an individual basis, according to presenting diagnosis and needs.

Treatment and intervention options could include workshops for people living with dementia and carers, medication and written information or signposting to support services such as Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK or Northamptonshire Carers.

Locations, hours of operation and teams

Throughout Northamptonshire, there are four localities, and each locality has a dedicated MAS:

• Daventry/South Northants – 0300 027 2969. • Kettering/Corby – 0300 027 4893/4894/4897. • Northampton – 0300 027 1671. • Wellingborough/Rushden – 0300 027 2740.

The service operates five days per week, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm. Currently, referrals to the service are made via the individual’s GP. However, if you require any additional information, please contact your local team using the contact details above.

www.myfamilyourneeds.co.uk

For parents and carers of children with additional needs and those who support them.