Dementia is a degenerative mental illness which causes problems with memory loss, thinking and reasoning that affects the sufferer gradually over a number of years. Caring for someone with dementia can often be extremely demanding as sufferers may have problems carrying out everyday tasks such as maintaining their household or looking after themselves, but there is help and support available for both carers and dementia sufferers.
Our Adult Social Care Services provide specialist day services for people over 65 with mental health needs and a carer group, which is part of the care plan prepared by a social worker or community psychiatric nurse; The Green Centre, Seacroft, Middlecross Centre, Woodhouse Centre.
Leeds Partnership Foundation (Mental Health) Trust has services for older people with mental health needs and dementia and most have a carers’ group and a Memory Clinic or Dementia Café. Access is through GP, community mental health nurse or psychiatrist.
The Alzheimer’s Society offer advice and information on all topics related to dementia, local services and support groups. They provide a day centre for early onset dementia patients and Living with Dementia in Leeds booklet. Log on to www.alzheimers.org.uk, call 0113 231 1727 or visit Armley Grange, Armley Grange Drive, LS12 3QH.
Peer support for people with dementia - do you have experience of dementia either personally or caring for a family member? You can help other people affected by dementia by becoming a Living Well with Dementia mentor. You (or they) can do this by visiting the Department of Health's Living Well with Dementia page on the Horsesmouth website.
Horsesmouth is a social networking and mentoring website where people with questions can ask people with relevant personal experiences for advice. For example, someone who has recently been diagnosed or whose relative has been diagnosed with dementia can contact a person who went through the same experience and gain information, advice and reassurance.
Where can I found out more information?
For information about Dementia Café services in your area, please click on the link at the top right of this page.
For other pages in this section, useful web addresses, leaflets and contacts please follow the links on the right.