What to do if you are worried about dementia
Diagnosis is very important and we encourage you to visit your GP if you have any concerns about the signs and symptoms of dementia. A diagnosis means that you can access the right types of information and services to support your needs.
For more information on the signs and symptoms of dementia and other useful information go to NHS choices dementia pages.
Support for people with dementia
Lewisham Dementia Support Hub (LDSH)
Lewisham Dementia Support Hub is run by the Alzheimer’s Society, the UK's leading dementia charity. It supports people who have recently been diagnosed with dementia in managing their wellbeing, achieving their personal goals, and connecting with their local community.
It offers:
- information and advice
- workshops, courses, and groups
- peer support groups and activities
Find out more about and access services being provided by the Alzheimer’s Society, Lewisham dementia support Hub:
- Telephone: 0207 423 5107, 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday
- Dementia Support Line 0333 150 3456
Opening hours: 9am-8pm, Monday to Friday
Out-of-hours: 10am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday - Email: lewisham@alzheimers.org.uk
- Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk
- Access the Dementia Support Forum
If your organisation supports those affected by dementia you can register your service on the dementia directory. Professionals can also refer someone for information advice and support.
Sydenham Garden Sow and Grow
Sydenham Garden was set up with the main purpose of helping those in our local community coping with or recovering from significant illness.
Gardener Patients are referred to the project through their GP or key worker and when at the project are known as "co-workers"; working alongside centre staff and other volunteers.
Sow & Grow is a course that runs on weekly basis and lasts for six months. It aims to support people to cope with early stages dementia, using gardening, cooking and craft activities, as well as providing plenty of opportunities for reminiscence, social interaction, reflection and discussion.
Referrals
- GPs
- MindCare
- Adult Social Care Advice and Information team
- Self-Referral
Contact
Sydenham Garden Resource Centre
28a Wynell Road
London
SE23 2LW
Tel: 0208 2911650
Email: info@sydenhamgarden.org.uk.
The Ladywell Day Centre
The Ladywell Dementia Service has been established to meet the needs of people with low, moderate to more advanced dementia.
The day centre provides activities which meet the social, physical, emotional and intellectual needs of the service users. The choices of activities are aimed at the personalised dementia care approach. The activities are delivered in small task orientated groups.
The choice of activities are aimed at providing a stimulating environment, developing personal achievement and social integration between service users.
Service users have access to the Ladywell hairdresser, chiropody and mobility services.
Referrals
Adult Social Care Advice and Information team.
Contact
The Ladywell Centre
148 Dressington Avenue
Ladywell
SE4 1JF
Safety at home
We can offer support to make sure your home is safe for example we can offer linkline which are alarms if you need help. We can provide equipment such has walking aids, smoke and flood detectors and talking medication boxes to help you live safely at home.
Visit our equipment and telecare pages for further information on staying safe at home.
Becoming a dementia-friendly community
In Lewisham, we are working towards becoming a dementia-friendly community, this means we want to build communities and resources where we help people with dementia.
The Lewisham Action Dementia Alliance is a group of organisations that work together across the borough to make the lives of people with dementia better. They want to empower people with dementia to:
- have good wellbeing
- take part in a life, society and a home environment that is meaningful.
This can only happen if individuals, organisations and systems are informed, supportive and active about dementia.
Dementia Pledge
The aims of the Dementia Pledge are to:
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ensure that people who deliver adult social care services fully understand and meet the needs of the person with dementia and their families
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ensure commissioners are committed to commission for quality, and only commission services from providers who demonstrate their workforce understand the needs of people with dementia and are committed to providing excellent dementia care
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increase public awareness of excellent dementia care and make them intolerant of anything less.
The four principles of the Dementia Pledge:
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Know the person who is living with dementia.
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Quality care, quality life.
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Everybody has a leadership role.
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Value focused care.
Get more information about dementia from the Alzheimer Society.