New service for Dementia sufferers

Being diagnosed with dementia or caring for someone newly diagnosed can be a very anxious and stressful time. It is often confusing and hard to find the information needed to move beyond diagnosis. Age UK Cheshire and Alzheimers Society have joined together to launch a new Dementia Information and Support Service which will be launched in April 2019.

The service, commissioned by NHS South Cheshire CCG and NHS Vale Royal CCG, has been developed to give people the reassurance and support they need in order to manage and live with the condition. Teresa Strefford, Clinical Director for Commissioning, NHS South Cheshire and Vale Royal CCGs, 'A diagnosis of dementia can be overwhelming. It is often hard to know where to turn, what information is available or where to find the right support. This service brings together all this information, and provides a consistent point of support throughout the journey for people with dementia and their families/carers to support them to manage their condition.

'The service will be available to both patient and carers following diagnosis across Winsford, Northwich, Crewe, Nantwich and Rural and SMASH Care Communities, and each Care Community will have a named person.

People will be offered the service by their local Memory Clinics or GPs (when diagnosis takes place within Primary Care).The service will be delivered by Dementia Support Workers who, whilst not being clinically trained, have a wealth of knowledge about local support and information to help people through their dementia journey. This includes information on diagnosis, living well, keeping active, local activities, local peer support groups, planning for the future and financial support.

Rosanna Kyme-Wright, Service Manager, Age UK Cheshire, 'It is essential that people with living with dementia and their carers get the best access to information and support from the start and throughout their personal journey.'

Steve Green, Area Manager Alzheimer's Society, 'With the help of this service, we hope to reduce the anxiety and worry and help people to have a better, more positive experience of living well with dementia.'

The aim of the service is to listen to people's stories and help to develop an individual plan coordinating support and services around the needs of the patient and carer and help those living with dementia and those caring for them to live well and as independently as possible

For more information click here or to find support near you click here.

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