Dementia Intensive Support Service

What is dementia?

The word ‘dementia’ describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language.

These changes are often small to start with, but for someone with dementia they have become severe enough to affect daily life.

A person with dementia may also experience changes in their mood or behaviour.

Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or a series of strokes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, but not the only one.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

The specific symptoms that someone with dementia experiences will depend on the parts of the brain that are damaged and the disease that is causing the dementia.

A person with dementia will have cognitive symptoms (to do with thinking or memory). They will often have problems with some of the following:

• Day-to-day memory
• Concentrating, organising or planning
• Language
• Visuospatial skills
• Orientation
• Changes to mood and behaviour

Dementia guides

Local community support

The Essex Map has information about local community support and services for people with dementia, and their families and carers. Click here to find out more.

Worried about memory problems?

This does not always mean dementia.

Forgetting someone’s name or why you went upstairs, we’ve all done it – and most of the time small memory slips aren’t serious.

However, if your memory is getting noticeably worse, or affecting everyday life, you should speak to your doctor as it may be a sign of a medical condition.

Other conditions linked to memory issues include depression, infections and vitamin deficiencies, which is another reason to get checked.

Your doctor will talk to you (and anyone with you) about your concerns and will be able to help with your questions.

You may be referred to a local memory clinic or hospital specialist where further assessments will take place so you can get a diagnosis.

Referrals and diagnostic dementia services in Essex

• Memory clinic
• Fraility service
• Dementia Intensive Support Service (DISS)
• Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Connect support service

NHS health check

The NHS Health Check has been specifically designed to identify health risks, like the aforementioned, earlier. This is why it is so important to have your health check. After your health check, you will be given advice on the best action to take to lower any risks and create a healthier lifestyle.

Dementia Connect

Dementia Connect, from Alzheimer’s Society, is a personalised support service for anyone in Essex with dementia, their carers, families and friends.

Funded by Essex County Council, the service connects people to a whole range of dementia support, by phone, online and face to face.

Alzheimer’s Society understands that dementia affects everyone differently. So whether you, a loved one, a friend or neighbour needs dementia support, we’re here for you.

The charity’s highly-trained dementia advisers and dementia support workers can help people come to terms with their diagnosis and navigate the complicated maze of health and social care services.

Online support

Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Connect online support is available round the clock on the website. Answer a few simple questions about yourself, or someone you know, to get personalised, relevant information and advice. From guides on dementia to advice on making your home dementia friendly, get the information about the things that matter to you.

Online support also includes Talking Point, Alzheimer’s Society’s online community, where you can connect with others in a similar situation and the Dementia Directory where you can search for local services.

Face to face support

Where possible, dementia support workers in Essex can meet you to offer further support, advice and information face to face. They will also connect you to other face to face services in your area, including local support groups.

Support line opening hours*

• Monday – Wednesday: 9:00am – 8:00pm
• Thursday – Friday: 9:00am – 5.00pm
• Saturday – Sunday: 10:00am – 4:00pm

*Calls charged at standard local rate.

Get in touch

Call: 0333 150 3456
Email: dementia.connect@alzheimers.org.uk
Go online: alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaconnect

1. Dementia is not a natural part of ageing

We all forget a name or a face sometimes. Especially as we get older. But dementia is something different.

Memory problems are one of a number of symptoms that people with dementia may experience. These changes are often small to start with, but for someone with dementia they have become severe enough to affect daily life.

2. Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain

Diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease cause nerve cells to die, damaging the structure and chemistry of the brain.

There are lots of other causes and no two types of dementia are the same. In different types of dementia there is damage to different parts of the brain.

3. It’s not just about losing your memory

When most people hear the word dementia, they think of memory loss.

And it does often start by affecting the short-term memory. Someone with dementia might repeat themselves and have problems recalling things that happened recently. But dementia can also affect the way people think, speak, perceive things, feel and behave.

4. People can still live well with dementia

Although there is no cure for dementia, scientists and researchers are working hard to find one.

Until that day comes, support and treatments are available that can help with symptoms and managing daily life. These can allow people with dementia to lead active, purposeful lives and carry on doing the things that matter to them most.

5. Alzheimer’s Society is here for anyone affected by dementia

Alzheimer’s Society provides expert information and support to anyone affected by dementia.

In Essex, the charity’s highly trained dementia support workers part of the Dementia Connect service, can offer direct support either on the phone, online or face-to-face. Call 0333 150 3456 or visit their website.

Visit Alzheimer’s Society

It’s important that people with dementia can visit their GP and get the care and support they need.

GPs are key to providing a diagnosis, information, support, planning and ongoing management and review for people with dementia and their carers.

Alzheimer’s Society is supporting GPs across Essex to work to become a dementia friendly practice. Those already registered onto the scheme, have pledged to support people affected by dementia with:

• Increasing dementia awareness and understanding for all practice staff
• Making appointments and using the GP telephone systems and website
• Navigating the physical environment of the practice with dementia friendly signage and clear, uncluttered surgeries
• Having systems in place to help to remember to attend appointments
• Understanding the individual needs of people affected by dementia, to enable them to express their concerns with the GP
• Working with patients and their carers to recall details of discussions regarding their care

Dementia Friends is the biggest ever initiative to transform how the nation thinks, acts and talks about dementia.

Becoming a Dementia Friend simply means finding out more about how dementia affects a person – and then, armed with this understanding, doing small everyday things that help. For example, being patient in a shop queue, or spending time with someone you know who’s living with dementia. Find out how to become a Dementia Friend by simply watching an online video.