Dementia support services
- Alzheimer’s Society: publications, community hub, local support services, carer support, financial and legal advice, Dementia support line 03331503456.
- Dementia UK: specialist dementia nursing charity providing support on health, living with dementia, financial and legal advice. Specialist nurses, known as Admiral Nurses answer the helpline 0800 888 6678.
3. Age UK Somerset: local services for patients, families and carers, including weekly ‘Memory Connections’ (MCST) groups, Dementia Awareness workshops, exercise groups, Walk and Talk, Wellbeing Friends, even toenail clipping services.
- Thrive Somerset: provides Village Agent support, referral for microproviders and social support, such as help finding carers, cleaners, gardeners, support with benefits, food, fuel and transport.
- The Filo Project: day care support service, often self-funded or funded by Social Services to provide respite for both person with dementia and the carer.
The Filo Project | Award winning dementia day care
- Carers UK: provide help and advice on finances like benefits, carer’s allowance, and pension credit; practical support on caring for your loved one; carer health and wellbeing.
- NHS Intensive Dementia Service: accepts referrals from health care professionals, care home staff and carers and families when there is an increase in the person’s dementia symptoms like increased aggression/ agitation and distress. IDS may offer daily telephone support, daily visits, medication review, short term monitoring of medication changes, strategies to support and manage challenging behaviours, liaison with other involved agencies and onward referrals to other services who will be able to help.
Intensive Dementia Service (IDS) – Somerset NHS Foundation Trust