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Wakefield

Support with Dementia

Support for Living with Dementia

Alzheimer’s Society

The Alzheimer's Society is a vital source of support and a powerful force for change for those affected by dementia.

Dementia Connect

Dementia affects everyone differently.  So whether you, a loved one, or a friend is affected by dementia Alzheimer's society is here to support you.

Live Well With Dementia Programme 

The Alzheimer's Society is running a Live Well with Dementia Programme over 7 weeks, for 3 hours a week.

 

This course is to help people living with dementia manage their health and well-being. This includes planning for the future, how to talk about dementia, and becoming aware of what support available. 

 

Contact the Alzheimer's Society Wakefield Team on 01924 373264 or wakefield@alzheimers.org.uk for more information.

Age UK

The Age UK team are trained to identify any information that will best answer your questions. This might be by sending you advice guides or helping to find local services in your area. Age UK will also help to direct you to the best place to go for further support and advice.

Healthwatch Wakefield 

Healthwatch Wakefield have put together a useful resources guide for people with dementia. You can read it here.

NHS - Dementia Guide 

If you or someone you know is worried about becoming more forgetful, you should talk to a GP about the possibility of dementia.

This guide offers information for people with dementia and their families and friends. It aims to raise awareness of dementia, and help people better understand the impact of the condition.

DEEP (Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project)

DEEP is a UK network of dementia voices. It connects groups across the UK that want to strive for change and voice the issues people with dementia face.

They have created a "Knowledge is Power" guide with tips and advice on how to make life after a dementia diagnosis easier.  You can read the guide here.

Delirium is common in people who have dementia. Delirium is when a person's mental state changes very suddenly. This will normally happen over a day or two.

Delirium affects people in different ways. Some of the symptoms are:

  • increased confusion

  • finding it hard to concentrate

  • being more tired than usual

  • resisting care

  • becoming restless

Delirium is usually caused by a physical illness such as an infection or by a change in medications.

You can find some helpful information and advice in the below guides:

Care Homes

Residential care provides housing, meals, activities, personal care and support. Residential placements are for people who are 18 or older, live in the Wakefield District and can't live independently due to a disability.

Support for Caring for Someone with Dementia

Dementia UK - Admiral Nurses 

Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses. They provide life-changing support for families affected by dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.

Live Well Wakefield 

Live Well Wakefield is a service for all adults in the Wakefield district who need information, advice and support. This service is commissioned by Wakefield Council.

MY Therapy 

My Therapy is a community-based therapy service providing visits to patients in their homes and clinic settings. You must be registered with a Wakefield GP to access My Therapy.

Social Care Direct 

Contact Social Care Direct if you, or someone you know, needs adult social care services in Wakefield. Or if you have a concern for someone's wellbeing.

Care Link 

At Care Link, they support over 15,000 customers to enjoy independence in their own home from just 73p per day.

They provide a range of packages to suit your personal needs and budget.

Rapid Access Service 

The rapid access service team acts as a single point of access for all referrals to older peoples services.

They provide an initial assessment for those who have with mental health needs and signpost them to the most appropriate care. This includes referrals for the Wakefield memory service for individuals over the age of 65.

NHS Complex Needs Service

Mid Yorkshire Trust aims to ensure all patients with a complex need receive good quality care. A complex need includes conditions like dementia, autism, and learning disabilities.

Their forward plan document sets out the Trust’s commitment to striving for excellence for patients with Complex Needs in our care.

Wakefield Discovery College run courses and workshops across the whole of the Wakefield district to support you to:

  • understand and manage health conditions,
  • find new skills and interests,
  • build strengths and inner resources,
  • engage in physical activity,
  • become an expert in your own self-care.

Email: wakefielddiscoverycollege@swyt.nhs.uk

Groups in Wakefield District

Active Minds Pontefract 

A day care for young and elderly people who have learning disabilities or dementia. A wide range of daily activities are available to build independent and improve wellbeing.

St Catherine's 

St Catherine's Church is open for Worship every Sunday at 10:30am.  Everyone is welcome.

CISWO

The Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation. They're a UK-wide charity providing free support to former coal miners and their families.

Since 1995, they've been working to improve lives and reduce disadvantage in coal mining communities. Their services make a real difference to people’s lives. Their focus is on providing for former mineworkers and their families most in need through our personal welfare service. They help people with:

  • practical and emotional support,
  • benefits,
  • coping with ill-health and immobility,
  • accessing financial support.

Homeinstead Wakefield

Homeinstead Wakefield provides high quality care for people in their own homes.  They aim to support individuals to continue living in the comfort of their own home where they are the happiest. The services included are: home help, companionship, personal care, dementia care and live-in care.

New Hope Elderly Day Care

New Hope Elderly Day Care is in Featherstone. They aim to promote independence for the elderly while offering respite for families and carers. 

Radfield Home Care

Radfield Home Care was established with the aim to provide a care service to help older people at home. They provide care services that support individuals that have been affected by medical conditions such as dementia. Some of the services provided are: end-of-life care, live in care packages, post-hospital discharge care, and more.

Memory Action Group

A peer support group for people living with dementia and their carers. 

Drop in Centre   

At West Wakefield Methodist Church (Lower Hall), Thornes Road, Wakefield, WF2 8QR

Open every Wednesday 2pm – 4pm and every Friday 2pm – 4pm. Fourth Friday each month in upper hall for Singalong & Dancing.

For more information, contact Jan on 01924 365213, 07963 568892 or jan.archbold@outlook.com

Useful documents provided by Memory Action Group:

Bless Memory Friendship Group

A group for people living with dementia and their carers to have fun singing, dancing and create friendships. 

Every Monday 1.30 - 3.30pm at Upton Village Hall and alternate Fridays at Bless Hemsworth.

Contact 07907 106360 or juliegreen@blesscommunityservices.co.uk for more information.

Open Heart Memory Cafe

The Sacred Heart Church Hall in Pontefract hosts a drop in cafe for people with dementia, their friends, family and carers. It is open every second Friday of every month. 

For more information, please contact 07921505706 or openheartmemorycafe@gmail.com

Support Groups 

Carers Wakefield  provide the opportunity for carers to meet together in a relaxed, informal atmosphere over a cup of tea or coffee. Many people gain help and support by meeting together with others who have similar experiences or problems.

All groups are different. Most groups organise activities, social events and outings throughout the year for carers.

Getting Out and About

Access Bus 

Access Bus is a dial-a-ride bus service providing door-to-door local transport. It is good for people who are unable to use standard bus services. The driver assists passengers from door-to-door including boarding and alighting. The buses are fully accessible with fitted seatbelts and the most up-to-date wheelchair restraints.

A dementia diagnosis does not mean you have to stop driving, but dementia may affect your ability to drive safely. 

You must tell the DVLA if you are diagnosed with dementia as you can be fined for not informing them. You can find the form needed to fill out to send to the DVLA here.

Dementia UK and Alzheimer's Society have useful information and guidance on what to do if you are diagnosed with dementia and drive. 

People living with dementia may be eligible for a Blue Badge. This is a scheme that can help give people with disabilities more accessible parking spaces, such as disabled parking spaces.

You can apply for a Blue Badge on the Wakefield Council website here.

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Last updated: 5/12/2023