Dementia Support in Norfolk

1. Dementia Support in Norfolk Jackie Thacker – Dementia Support Manager and Anne Greengrass – Dementia Adviser ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

2. Alzheimer’s Society is a national charity with local dementia support teams. • Our vision is of a radically improved world for people with dementia. • Locally we strive to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their carers through the provision of quality information, advice and support. Who we are: ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

3. We have five dementia support teams across Norfolk; Norwich & District, South Norfolk, King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, North Norfolk and Great Yarmouth. • We are part funded through contracts with Norfolk County Council and the Primary Care Trust – although the majority of our work is funded by donations and fundraised income. • We take referrals from anywhere – people are able to refer themselves and other organisations can refer to us. We get a large number of referrals from Community Mental Health teams and Social Services. How do we work? ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

4. We offer information, guidance and support to people with dementia, their carers and anyone else in need of our help. • We offer home visits to clients to answer any questions, provide relevant information, and to give emotional support. • Across Norfolk we run over thirty support and activity groups, providing people with dementia and their carers with a safe environment to access support, information and to socialise with others in the same position. • These groups include musical therapy, arts and crafts, Dementia Cafes, and a host of support networks. • We regularly run ‘Positive Caring Courses’ • We run a ‘Life Story Book’ project, engaging with people with dementia and putting together their life history. What do we do? ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

5. A Case StudyCafé Care in Fakenham is an interagency initiative providing a drop-in service for people with dementia and their carers. It is supported by Library and Museum [reminiscence] services, Social services and the Alzheimer’s Society. The local WI provide refreshments. The benefits of joint working is highlighted in the case of Mr Z who cares for his wife who has dementia. During one session he inadvertently disclosed a situation that was a possible cause for concern regarding the care of his wife. Afterwards the social worker and dementia support worker, who were both present, were able to discuss the situation, share information and agree an appropriate way to respond to the disclosure. Such co-operation leads to speedier reporting and corroboration between professionals from different agencies. Achieving a quick resolution to such problems is beneficial for both clients and workers. alzheimers.org.uk

6. A Case Study The CMHT OT referred Joe and Jane to us so that they would receive ongoing support once Joe, who has Alzheimer's disease, was discharged from her caseload. The couple have no family or close friends in Norfolk and were socially isolated. Invitations to attend one of our local groups were refused as Jane said “they were not group people”. Regular visits by the DSW were welcomed and as Joe’s illness progressed advice and information were provided as appropriate. When it became evident that Jane was becoming impatient with Joe and resentful of her role as a carer the DSW was able to discuss options available to them. Jane would not consider having paid carers come into the home so the only alternative was residential care for Joe. As the couple were “self funding” Social services were not involved. With support from the DSW Joe is now settled in a local care home and Jane admits she “was at breaking point” as a carer. Without the support of the DSW there might have been a crisis before anyone intervened. alzheimers.org.uk

7. Are you referring? If not – why not? Did you know we also provide training to professionals in Understanding Dementia, Communication, Challenging Behaviours – and many other areas of care? To make a referral please call our central administration team in Norwich: Phone: 01603 763517 Email: norfolk@alzheimers.org.uk We are keen to establish better links with other areas of the dementia pathway, so please let us know if there are areas where we could work in partnership with you. ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

8. The Dementia Adviser • The Dementia Adviser role was added to Alzheimer’s Society services in Norfolk in Spring 2010 – following funding from the DOH. • The Dementia Adviser Service was created from the National Dementia Strategy. This set out 17 key objectives with the aim of improving quality of life for people with dementia and their carers. Objectives 3 and 4 of the strategy are particularly relevant to the setting up of the DA service. • Objective 3 states that the person with dementia and their carers will be given good quality information about dementia and services, at diagnosis and during their care. • Objective 4 states that the person with dementia and their carers will be able to see a DA who will help them throughout their care to find the right information, care, support and advice. ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

9. The Norfolk Model • In Norfolk, the Dementia Adviser service was initially funded by the Department of Health as a Demonstrator site to test models of delivery. • The Norfolk Dementia Advisers work within the Mental Health Trust. Our referrals come solely through the Community Mental Health Team that each DA is based with. The aim is that we will see people as soon after diagnosis as possible. • Our role also includes recruitment and training of Volunteers to enable people to access the services and activities that they are interested in. • A National Evaluation of all sites will be available in the Autumn. ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

10. Referral rates Norfolk has five part-time Dementia Advisers covering the county. The table below reflects the numbers each adviser has had contact with since the service started in January 2010 ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

11. A Case Study Mr X is 67 yrs old and lives with his wife. Mr X was diagnosed recently and referred to the DA service. On the visit it was soon apparent that he was very concerned about his diagnosis. In his words ‘Its like facing an immediate death sentence and I am still here’. We were able to discuss his illness which enabled him to understand it better. We talked about what was really important to him, he said he was scared of the future. We suggested that he could make a Lasting Power Of Attorney and Will to enable him to make decisions for the future whilst he is still able. He was also concerned about his finances, we were able to help him apply for Attendance Allowance and subsequently a reduction in his council tax. This provided him with the extra income so that he could access the local gym with support. It has helped his health and well being, and he said ‘has made me feel more positive about the future’. Mrs X was helped to access Carer Peer Support groups to give her the support and understanding she needed.

12. Where we go from here: • The Dementia Adviser service is currently funded until December 2011 • We are awaiting the outcomes of the national Healthbridge Evaluation, • The positioning of the service, and the referral route will be evaluated over the next few months. • We’re interested to hear your thoughts and experiences around the service • – please email: laura.meadowcroft@alzheimers.org.uk

13. Thank you ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk