Dementia is the gradual loss of mental abilities such as:
- Thinking
- Reasoning
- Remembering.
It is not a disease, but displays symptoms such as:
- Loss of memory
- Confusion
- Changes in personality, mood and behaviour.
Find out more about symptoms of dementia.
These may accompany some diseases or conditions affecting the brain such as Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia
Dementia:
- Usually affects older people
- Becomes more common with age (most people who develop dementia are over 60
- Can develop in younger people
- Is not normal part of growing old (most older people never develop dementia). There are ways in which you can reduce your risk of dementia
What help is available?
If you are worried about your memory, contact your GP and they will be able to identify if you have some form of cognitive impairment.
They may:
- Give you more information about the support available to people with memory related problems
- Refer you to a Memory Clinic for diagnosis.
Newham New Deal Partnership
The council has commissioned independent Dementia Community Memory Support Services through the Newham New Deal Partnership. The service comprises four elements:
- Dementia Advisor
- Memory Cafes
- Music for the Mind
- Young Onset Dementia Activities.
These services are free for all Newham residents affected by dementia.
Newham New Deal Partnership provides information, advice and support to people with dementia and memory problems and their carers. Services include one-to-one and group support plus specific support for younger people with dementia.
To access this service you can contact Newham New Deal Partnership directly or ask a health or social care professional to provide a referral.
Dementia Advisor service – one-to-one bespoke information, advice and support for residents pre and post diagnosis (including home visits) where needs are not complex enough to require intervention (or continued support) from Memory Service
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Monthly group sessions |
Location |
|---|---|
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Music for the Mind – a stimulating environment where you can use music to express yourself and improve your wellbeing. Two face-to-face sessions and one virtual session. |
Hopkins Room Stratford Library, The Grove, London E15 1EL AND Shipman Youth Centre340 Prince Regent Lane, London, E16 3J |
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Memory Cafes - a relaxed environment where people with dementia and their carers can meet and gain peer support, information and advice, and join in activities which will enhance their wellbeing. Two face-to-face sessions and one virtual session. |
Canning Town Community Neighbourhood Centre 18 Rathbone Market, Barking Road, London, E16 1EH AND East Ham Library 328 Barking Road London, E6 2RT |
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Young Onset Dementia Activities (YODA) - Specific support for younger people with dementia with their carers; provision of advice and wellbeing activities for residents with young onset Dementia and their carers.
One face-to-face session and one virtual session |
Venue to be confirmed (please contact Newham New Deal Partnership) |
How to get in touch
If you are still unsure where to get help then please contact the Adult Social Care Access Team.
When you contact us we'll discuss your situation over the phone and give you any relevant advice or information. If appropriate, we will follow this up with a visit to your home to talk about your personal and practical needs and to discuss what help is available.
