Information for people living with Dementia
and their Carers
The Care Act 2014 emphasises the importance of information and advice being available to all people, regardless of whether they are eligible for support from the local authority, and regardless of their financial position.
Contents Page
Specialist Dementia Advice & Advocacy Services
Where can I get more specialist information and
support related to living with dementia? 3
Services for Carers
Where can I get support and advice about caring
for someone with a disability? 7
Financial, Legal and Benefits Advice
Where can I get information and advice about benefits,
finances and legal matters? 12
Energy and Heating Advice and Information Services
Where can I get information and advice about heating
my home? 17
General Information and Advice Services
Where can I get more general information and advice? 19
Help at home services
What services are available that can give me some help
at home? 23
Day opportunities
What services are available that can help me meet people
or help me do things that I enjoy? 24
Social Inclusion
I struggle to get out of the house, what services can help
me meet people? 26
Peer Support
Where can I meet up with other people who have
similar needs to myself? 27
Mental Health Where can I get more specialist information and support
about mental health issues? 30
Other specialist advice and support services 33
Miscellaneous 36
18
Specialist Dementia Advice & Advocacy Services
Where can I get more specialist information and support related to living with dementia?
The following services specialise in providing advice and advocacy for people living with the dementia and/ or their carers.
Alzheimer’s Society:
The Alzheimer’s Society provides help and advice for anyone worried about or affected by dementia. They provide information and support, fund medical and social research, and campaign for better quality of life for people with dementia and greater understanding of the condition.
National Helpline
If you have concerns about Alzheimer's disease or about any other form of dementia, Alzheimer's Society National Dementia Helpline 0300 222 1122 can provide information, support, guidance and signposting to other appropriate organisations.
The Helpline is usually open from:
· 9am - 8pm Monday to Wednesday
· 9am - 5pm on Thursday and Friday
· 10am - 4pm on Saturday and Sunday
Local Office
Marrow House
Forrister Street
Meir Hay
Stoke-on-Trent
ST3 1SQ
Tel: 01543 573936
Email:
National Dementia Helpline:
Tel: 0300 222 1122
Email:
Factsheets and information guides are available from the website.
Website: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk
Approach - Dementia Advisory Service:
The Approach Dementia Advisor Service is a free, confidential service providing support and advice to anyone diagnosed with Dementia, and their carers, across North Staffordshire, including the City of Stoke-on-Trent.
Dementia Advisors provide support by phone or through visiting people in their own homes or at other convenient locations. The service also can include short periods of support from a dementia support worker whoprevent people from feeling isolated, and help individuals regain skills and interests they may have previously lost.
For more information or to make a referral to the service please contact Approach.
Cauldon Chambers
10 Stoke Road
Shelton
Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 2DP
Tel: 01782 214999
Fax: 01782 289777
Email: ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web site: http://www.approachstaffordshire.co.uk/contact-us.html
The Beth Johnson Foundation – Dementia Advocacy Service:
The Dementia Advocacy programme supports people at a most vulnerable time in their lives when they have been diagnosed with dementia. This service is free of charge.
Address:
64 Princes Road
Parkfield House
Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST4 7JL
Telephone: 01782 844036
Fax: 01782 746940
Email:
To find an advocate contact: Betty Machin (Manager) or Jane Snape (Project Co-ordinator Stoke on Trent) .
Web: https://www.bjf.org.uk
Dementia Diaries
Dementia Diaries is a UK-wideproject that brings together people’s diverse experiences of living with dementia as a series of audio diaries. Itserves asa public record and a personal archive thatdocuments the day-to-day lives of people living with dementia. For more information please see the website.
Website: http://dementiadiaries.org/
Young Dementia UK
Young Dementia UKis a charitable company based in Oxfordshire, their website provides information and useful resources for younger people living with dementia and their carers.
Tel: 01993 776295 - general enquiries
01865 794311 - support-related enquiries
Email: - general enquiries
- website-related enquiries
Website: www.youngdementiauk.org/
Dementia Web
Dementia Web is a website which contains lots of useful information, lists of local services, organisations and contact telephone numbers. It also includes links to information sheets containing hints, tips and guides for people who have been diagnosed with dementia.
Address:
Guideposts Trust
Willow Tree House
Station Lane
Witney
OX28 4BH
Tel: 0845 1204048 (24 hour helpline)
Email:
Website: http://www.dementiaweb.org.uk
Dementia Challengers:
The Dementia Challengers website is written by carers who want to share their experiences and expertise with others. The website includes pages on subjects such as:-
· how to find information
· support groups and organisations
· finance and funding
· articles written by carers and those written by people living with dementia.
Email:
Website: http://www.dementiachallengers.com
Dementia UK
Dementia UK is a national charity which offersspecialist one-to-one support and advice for people living with dementia. Please see the website for details of how to contact their Admiral Nursing Direct dementia helpline, which is manned by mental health professionals who specialise in dementia care. It also includes links to information sheets containing hints, tips and guides for people who have been diagnosed with dementia.
Second Floor
Resource for London
356 Holloway Road
London
N7 6PA
Tel: 0207 697 4160
Admiral Nursing DIRECT helpline
Tel: 0845 257 9406
E-mail:
Website: https://www.dementiauk.org
Services for Carers
The following services provide support for Carers.
The Carers Hub
The Carers Hub provides advice, training and information to improve the life of carers in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. They can also help with accessing specialist support from local partners and organisations as needed. They can provide support with:-
· Carers Assessments
· Support planning
· Social & health services
· Money
· Employment
· Skills
· Housing
· Mental Health
· Learning Disability
· Health e.g. Carers of Stroke victims
· Transport
· Well being
· Facilitating social activities
Address:
The Carers Hub,
Suite 9,
The Forecourt,
Albion Street,
Hanley,
Stoke on Trent,
ST1 1QH
Tel: 0330 1231937
Email:
Website: https://www.thecarershub.co.uk/
Carers Direct
The Carers Direct helpline provides carers with information to helpmake decisions about their own personal support needs and the needs of the person they are looking after. This information includes assessments, benefits, direct payments, individual budgets, time off and maintaining, leaving or going back to work or education. The Carers Direct helpline advisers can put carers in touch with specialist national or local sources of help, including social care, healthcare and self-help networks and resources. The Carers Direct helpline is open seven days a week from 9am-8pm Monday to Friday, and from 11am-4pm at weekends. The helpline is closed on bank holidays. Queries about caring you can also be made by using the online enquiry form. A Carers Direct adviser will normally respond within 24 hours, excluding bank holidays.
Carers Direct webchat service
Carers Direct advisers are available live online between 9am and 8pm Monday to Friday, and from 11am to 4pm at weekends to answer any questions, or to assist with finding information.
Language Line translation for Carers Direct
Carers Direct uses Language Line, a telephone translation and interpreting service. This three-way conferencing facility enables the helpline advisers to communicate through a trained interpreter, making Carers Direct accessible to many people whose first language isn't English. The call back form can be used to request a call with a translator at a convenient time, in any of 170 languages which are available. Instructions are available in
· Arabic ربي
· Bengali বাংলা
· Cantonese 中文
· French Français
· Gujarati ગુજરાતી
· Polish Polski
· Portuguese Português
· Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
· Somali Soomaali
· Spanish Español
· Turkish Türkçe
· Urdu اردو
Tel: 0300 123 1053
Textphone: 0300 123 1004.
Website: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/pages/carers-direct-helpline
North Staffs Carers
North Staffs Carers Association offers information, training and ongoing support to Carers of all ages. They seek and represent the views of informal Carers on the planning and delivery of services and continue to strive to identify and implement opportunities to improve their service to Carers.
North Staffs Carers Association also operates a “Carers Centre” which hosts various groups, activities and events for Carers. Please see the website for further details. The Centre also provides an information hub for Carers where they have access to information about local services and support.
Address:
North Staffs Carers Association
Carers Centre
1 Duke Street
Fenton
Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 3NR
Tel: 01782 793100
(Mon – Thurs : 8.00am – 5.00pmFriday : 8.00am – 4.30pm)
E-mail:
Website: http://www.carersfirst.com
Fax: 01782 330792
Carers UK
Carers UK:-
· give expert advice on Carer’s Allowance, help with benefits and practical support
· connect carers so no-one has to care alone.
· campaign together for lasting change.
· find new ways to reach and support carers.
The Carers UK Advice line
Tel: 0808 808 7777
open Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm.
Email:
Website: http://www.carersuk.org
Carers Trust
The Carers Trust help anyone who cares, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems.
They provide:-
· access to breaks for carers
· help and support carers to stay healthy themselves
· provide support, information, advice and services for anyone caring at home for a family member or friend.
Address:
Carers Trust
32-36 Loman Street,
London SE1 0EH
Tel: 0844 800 4361 (calls charged at local rates)
Fax: 0844 800 4362
Website: www.carers.org
email:
Keele University Support Services
Keele University have a dedicated support service for carers.
The website address is: www.keele.ac.uk/studentgroups/studentswithcaringresponsibilities
There is also a dedicated contact in student support who can be contacted by the following email:
Staffordshire Cares
Staffordshire Cares provides:
· Information about the support and benefits which carers are entitled to, help in an emergency, and health and wellbeing advice
· Interactive tools which help to find nearby activities, services and the right person to help with caring.
Website: http://www.staffordshirecares.info/Homepage.aspx
Contact details for people living in Staffordshire
Tel: 0300 111 8010
Text/SMS: 07814 194 111 - for people with a hearing impairment
Minicom: 01785 276207
Contact details for people living in Stoke on Trent
Tel: 0800 561 0015
Text/SMS: 07786 200 700 - for people with a hearing impairment
Minicom: 01782 236037
Dementia Carer
The Dementia Carer website has been developed with and by family members who look after someone who has dementia. This site contains videos showing carers of people with Dementia giving their views of support, what helps and what to do. The site also has links to other material and information.
Website: http://www.dementiacarer.net
Email:
Tel: 0114 2966229
Approach Carers Training
Approach carers training is for carers of people with a mental health issue. Courses are free to attend. The sessions arevery friendly and informal and aim to provide a good understanding of Dementia, support carers to improve their health and wellbeing and to help them plan for the future.
Tel: 01782 214999
Fax: 01782 289777
Web: http://www.approachstaffordshire.co.uk/upcoming-events/56-approach-carer-training-2014.html
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Financial, Legal and Benefits Advice
Where can I get information and advice about benefits, finances and legal matters?
The following services specialise in providing a range of independent financial information and advice.
Age UK
Age UK North Staffordshire offers a free, confidential, independent and trusted information and advice service tailored for the needs of anyone over the age of 50, and their friends, relatives and carers.
Age UK stock a wide range of information guides and leaflets covering many topics
Age UK are able to offer advice on:
· Welfare benefits — your entitlements and filling in forms
· Health
· Social care
· Residential and non-residential care
· Help at home
· Housing matters
· Legal: Wills and power of attorney
· Learning, Social and Leisure activities
· Employment matters
· Voluntary work opportunities
· Consumer issues
· General enquiries
People can drop in at the centre in Hanley, request support by phone, and home visits can also be arranged where feasible if you have transport or mobility problems.
Contact details:
Age UK North Staffordshire
83-85 Trinity Street
Hanley
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 5NA
Tel: Information and advice: 01782 204 995
Email:
Web site: http://www.ageuk.org.uk/northstaffs
Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Bureau provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone in relation to:
· Benefits
· Work
· Debt and money
· Consumer rights
· Relationships
· Housing
· Law
· Discrimination
· Tax
· Healthcare
· Education
Address:
Advice House
Cheapside
Hanley
STOKE-ON-TRENT
Staffordshire
ST1 1HL
Tel: 03444 111 444 - Advice Line
Fax: 01782 408601
Email:
Website: https://citizensadvice.citizensadvice.org.uk
The Court of Protection
The Court of Protection website provides advice for people who may need to make decisions for, or manage the affairs of, someone who lacks mental capacity and does not have a power of attorney in place. Links are available on how to:-
· Make decisions on behalf of someone else
· Apply to become a court-appointed deputy
· Make an urgent or emergency application
· Apply to make a one-off decision
· Object to the registration of an enduring or lasting power of attorney
· Cancel an enduring power of attorney