Alzheimer's Society Bedfordshire & Luton
Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia support and research charity. We provide services, fund research and advise health and social care professionals. Working nationally and locally, we campaign for improved care and greater awareness and understanding of dementia.
- Updated:
- 24 November 2020
- Location:
- East of England
- Sectors:
- Voluntary Sector, Charity
- Local Alliances:
- Luton Dementia Action Alliance
1. Action Plan
1. The National Dementia Declaration lists seven outcomes that the DAA are seeking to achieve for people with dementia and their carers. How would you describe your organisation’s role in delivering better outcomes for people with dementia and their carers?
1. The National Dementia Declaration lists a number of outcomes that we are seeking to achieve for people with dementia and their carers. How would you describe your organisation’s role in delivering better outcomes for people with dementia and their carers?
Alzheimer’s Society is the only UK charity that campaigns for change, funds research to find a cure and supports people living with dementia today. We provide information and support for those with any form of dementia and their carers. We advise and train professionals working in the field, fund research, run quality support and care services, and campaign for improved health and social care and greater public understanding of dementia.
We work in partnership with others to ensure that support is always there for people with dementia and that people receive a timely diagnosis, that the condition is understood and that people with dementia have the same rights as other members of society. We will achieve this through funding scientific breakthroughs, strengthening communities by increasing understanding of the needs of people with dementia and the contribution of carers and striving to put an end to discrimination and stigma
2. What are the challenges to delivering these outcomes from the perspective of your organisation?
We must confront the biggest health and social care challenge of our time. The task now is to create a broad range of individuals and organisations committed to action.
Public awareness of dementia is rising but understanding remains poor, e.g. that it is possible to live well with dementia and to make big differences to quality of life for people with dementia and their carers.
Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. Someone develops it every three minutes and there’s currently no cure. People with dementia are often diagnosed too late and do not get the information and support they need to begin living well with dementia - resulting in social isolation and exclusion.
Funding for dementia research is limited compared to other major disease groups and in a difficult economic climate we need to make a compelling case for action.
Most importantly we need to work with people with dementia, their carers and families to understand what matters most to them in order to transform their quality of life.
Member website
www.alzheimers.org.uk2. Actions
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To champion the diversity of Luton
In Luton we have raised awareness of dementia across all sectors and all communities.
We will work with our partners to raise awareness of dementia ensuring we engage and support those people with dementia, carers and family members across all communities in Luton.
Society literature is available in a variety of languages, and formats including Audio, Braille, CD.
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/accessible-resources
- Status:
- Implementation
2015 - Fourth Quarter Update
Continue to work across BAME groups and ensure those affected are signposted to support that meets cultural needs
2015 - Fourth Quarter Update
New Member
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Enabling equal, timely access to diagnosis and support
An increase in the numbers of people of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic origin and other seldom heard groups who receive a diagnosis of dementia, enabled through greater use by health professionals of diagnostic tools that are linguistically or culturally appropriate. Provide dementia awareness and appropriate post diagnostic support to all members of the community, ensuring that this adapted for people from all BME communities
- Status:
- Delivery
2019 - Third Quarter Update
New Dementia Support Manager in post. Working with new Dementia Suppot Worker to provide an Equality Impact Assessment of the service, results due in the new year.
2019 - Second Quarter Update
New Dementia support worker appointed. Initially started liaising with previous contacts.
DSW approached by Luton Health Watch to work in collaboration on a common platform to engage effectively with BAME groups. We’ve conversed about hosting an event to make awareness on dementia with Health Watch alongside with GP surgeries in order to increase the number of referrals through GP surgeries and BAME groups.
Awareness raising- 25 people recorded from BAME communities
2019 - First Quarter Update
Involved in NHS/BAME ELFT QI project, participating in monthly meetings to engage the South East Asian Community with the Memory Assessment Service and support available for people with dementia.
Information provision; Luton Irish Forum Tea & Chat Group (January), Shree Sanantan Seva Samaj Hindu Centre Well Being Group, (February). Treasurer of Dilkush Well Being Club arranging April invitation to group following talk given by Dementia Support Worker at the Hindu Centre.
Approached Luton Carnival Arts & Luton Mela to seek stalls at respective events.
Numerous groups approached but no response. DSW will be exploring alternative approaches to engage with respective communities.
Dementia Support worker left and recruitment started for new worker.
Awareness raising- 98 people recorded from BAME communities
2018 - Fourth Quarter Update
ELFT QI Project meeting to engage South East Asian Community with the Memory Assessment Service
Awareness raising- 42 people recorded from BAME communities
2018 - Third Quarter Update
Awareness raising activities in this quarter
African/Caribbean Carers Information Session – short talk, Q&A and an information stand
African Caribbean Carers Support Group - Attended a Carers Rights day - had a stall, gave a talk and provided printed information
Carers Lounge at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital
Guru Nanak Well Being Club – contact made
Guru Ravidass Well Being Club – contact made
Luton and Dunstable Polish Church – contact made
Awareness raising – 34 people recorded from BAME communities
2018 - Second Quarter Update
Introductory meeting with Bedfordshire African Community Centre to discuss awareness raising and barriers of accessing a diagnosis.
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Every person diagnosed with dementia having person centred care following their diagnosis, which supports them and those around
1. Receiving information on what post-diagnosis services are available locally and how these can be accessed.
2. Access to relevant advice and support to help and advise on what happens after a diagnosis and the support available when living with dementia.
- Status:
- Delivery
2019 - Third Quarter Update
Staff attendance at Post diagnostic meetings with people newly diagnosed and their carer’s to introduce Society services and support available.
Improved system of referrals now established and Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Support workers reaching increased numbers of consenting individuals post diagnosis via MDT meetings.
Volunteer makes keep in touch call a few weeks after DSW contact to ensure all referral actions have been met with a view to closing referral until further needs arise.
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All organisations and businesses encouraged and supported to become dementia friendly
Existing and new volunteers to become DF and staff to become DC
- Status:
- Planning
2019 - Third Quarter Update
All staff are Dementia Friends and 3 staff are Dementia Champions. We've recently implemented a new internal system so are awaiting reporting functions to be available to allow information for volunteers.
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Supporting carers of people with dementia
Carers of people with dementia being made aware of and offered the opportunity for respite, education, training, emotional and psychological support so that they feel able to cope with their caring responsibilities and to have a life alongside caring.
- Status:
- Delivery
2019 - Third Quarter Update
1 CRISP1 course run in August
2018 - Third Quarter Update
Carers Information Programme (CRISP) are provided as demend requires.
1 course run in October.
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Supporting carers of people with dementia
Carers of people with dementia being made aware of and offered the opportunity for respite, education, training, emotional and psychological support so that they feel able to cope with their caring responsibilities and to have a life alongside caring.
- Status:
- Delivery
2019 - Third Quarter Update
1 CRISP1 course run in August
2018 - Third Quarter Update
Carers Information Programme (CRISP) are provided as demend requires.
1 course run in October.