News items from April 2014
Pioneering dementia support service launches at the Leicester Royal Infirmary
The Alzheimer’s Society has launched a new service at Leicester Royal Infirmary, to help people live well with dementia.
The Hospital Liaison Dementia Support Service launched on 22nd April. It involves three members of staff from the charity working from the hospital in a bid to improve the experience of patients and reduce time spent in hospital and re-admissions, whilst providing valuable information, advice and guidance.
Dementia patients and their carers will be asked to complete a specialist document developed by the Alzheimer’s Society called This is Me, which details things that are important to the patient, like food preferences, interests and hobbies. The document will then be used by people involved in the patient’s hospital care, giving them easy access to the information most pertinent to the patient’s happiness and wellbeing.
Jo Rodwell, Alzheimer’s Society dementia support manager in Leicestershire and Rutland said:
“Hospital can be a daunting experience for someone with dementia, who may be experiencing confusion or have trouble communicating. This service is an exciting opportunity to build on the good work that is already going on at the hospital to ensure that people with the condition get the best possible care. We’ll be working closely with staff and patients and we hope that by providing support and information, people will stay in hospital for shorter periods, improving their quality of life and also saving money for the hospital.”
Anybody can refer dementia patients to the service, including carers and patients themselves. To find out more call Jo Rodwell (Dementia Support Manager) or Sally Grundy (Services Manager) on 0116 231 1111 or e-mail [email protected]
The Alzheimer's Society has also produced a guide to give you more information.
Free event for Learning Disability carers
The NHS is holding a free carers event for family and paid carers of people with Learning Disabilities in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland on 10th June from 10am to 2.30pm at Leicester Racecourse Conference Centre, Leicester Road, Oadby, LE2 4AL.
The event is an opportunity to hear and see current resources developed for people with learning disabilities to support access to National Cancer Screening Programmes (bowel, breast and cervical). As well as a chance to listen to the work being developed on carers' health and wellbeing.
There will be a variety of information stands available and an opportunity to speak to different professionals until 4pm plus a workshop on the health needs of people with learning disabilities, annual health checks and health action plans.
Lunch and refreshments will be available.
To book a place please contact Deb Beadman on 0116 295 7155 or email [email protected]
To find out more about the event please call Amelia Boulton – Learning Disability Primary Care Liaison Nurse on 07500 993 864 or email [email protected]
Click here to download the event poster
Important: Have your say on proposed changes to carers support services
Leicestershire County Council is asking carers to take part in a very important survey to help shape the support services you receive.
Have your say online at www.leics.gov.uk/haveyoursay/carersupport by 13 July
Or to find out more and discuss the proposals why not go along to one of the consultation events below:
Friday 13 June 10.30am - 12pm Loughborough Town Hall
Monday 16 June 1.30pm - 3pm Bassett Street Centre, South Wigston
Wednesday 18 June 6.30pm - 8pm Brite Centre, Braunstone
For general enquiries or comments, or to book a place at one of the above consultation events call 0116 305 0965 or email [email protected]
Make friends with a book
Leicestershire County Council and The Reader Organisation have teamed up to offer a new free group at Wigston Library, Bull Head Street, Wigston every Wednesday from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
The group is a place to relax, make new friends and enjoy shared reading. There is no pressure to read or talk, you can simply drop in, sit down and relax as you listen to a good story or poem. And it's free!
To find out more call 0116 305 3689 or email [email protected]
To find out more about The Reader Organisation please visit www.thereader.org.uk
Dementia Friends information session - 3rd May
Why not go along to a Dementia Friends information session to find out more about what it's like living with dementia?
Dementia Friends is an Alzheimer's Society initiative and there are numerous sessions being run at venues across Wigston, Oadby and Fleckney.
To find your nearest session simply go to www.dementiafriends.org.uk and type in your postcode. Alternatively, you can call Emma on 07703 693499.
The next session is on Saturday 3rd May from 10.15am to 11.15am at Oadby Library, The Parade, Oadby. Places are limited so it's best to ring Emma on the number above to book your place.
New website to improve dementia education and awareness
The University of Nottingham has developed a new website to 'Improve Dementia Education and Awareness' (IDEA) www.idea.nottingham.ac.uk
IDEA is an online learning centre designed to improve the care and quality of life of people with dementia. Within the IDEA website, people with dementia and their carers will be able to find information and resources including online courses and a range of audio-visual materials about dementia, its causes, treatment and the care of people affected.
The AT Dementia website may also be of interest as it provides information on Assistive Technology that can help people with dementia live more independently.
