Dementia

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. 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. (Alzheimer’s Society).

What should happen when you’re diagnosed with dementia

older lady with dementia looking at the camera

Being diagnosed with dementia can be a big shock, and it can be hard to know what to do next.

The essential information you should get after a dementia diagnosis:

Your type of dementia and how it will affect you.
Any further tests, treatment, activities or therapies that might help you.
Who will provide your care and how to contact them, including the professional who will coordinate your care.
Support groups and charities that can help you.
How dementia can affect your driving and what you need to do.
How your employer should support you if you work (or are looking for work).
Any research studies you could take part in.

Take a look at our guide to what happens after dementia diagnosis to find out more

Communicating with someone who has dementia

The NHS has these useful suggestions to try and begin conversations with the person you’re looking after, especially if you notice that they’re starting fewer conversations themselves.

Speak clearly and slowly, using short sentence.
Make eye contact with the person when they’re talking or asking questions.
Give them time to respond, because they may feel pressured if you try to speed up their answer.
Encourage them to join in conversations with others, where possible.
Let them speak for themselves during discussions about their welfare or health issues.
Try not to patronise them, or ridicule what they say.
Acknowledge what they have said, even if they don’t answer your question, or what they say seems out of context – show that you’ve heard them and encourage them to say more about their answer.
Give them simple choices – avoid creating complicated choices or options for them.
Use other ways to communicate – such as rephrasing questions because they can’t answer in the way they used to.

What to expect from health and care services after diagnosis of dementia

The Department for Health and Social Care has published information to help you understand the kind of support and services available if you have been diagnosed with dementia or are supporting someone who has.

The 2023-24 Blue Book of Dementia Support and Services is out now. The Blue Book gives a summary of support for older people and those living with dementia in Northumberland.

Originally a guide for people in West Northumberland, the book now includes services across the county, helping to support more people than ever.

You can view or download The Blue Book below. Hard copies are available from us here at Healthwatch Northumberland, at most libraries and from Age UK Northumberland.

Please get in touch if you would like a copy in the post.

The Blue Book: Dementia support and activities in Northumberland

Age UK Northumberland Live Well with Dementia groups

Age UK Northumberland hosts weekly Live Well With Dementia groups for people who are living with mild to moderate dementia to enjoy fun and engaging activities, and social interaction.

See venues, days and times

For more information call 01670 784 800 or email info@ageuk-northumberland.org.uk

What to do if you have concerns about memory difficulties

Watch this five minute film from local organisations to find out more about getting support with memory loss in Northumberland

What is social care?

The King’s Fund has made a short animation to explain what social care is and the responsibilities of local government in providing care.

Living well with dementia: weekly sessions from RVS

These weekly sessions from Royal Voluntary Service are designed for people with mild to moderate dementia or cognitive impairment. On offer are a range of stimulating and purposeful activities that promote good physical health and mental wellbeing, such as crafts, cookery, nature-based activities, games, puzzles and gentle exercise sessions. Carers welcome.

Beaconhill Community Centre, Cramlington, NE23 8EH. Every Tuesday 11am – 2pm and Thursday 10am – 2pm.

£5 per person per session which includes a two course lunch.

Elizabethan Hall, Newbiggin by the sea, NE64 6ST. Every Wednesday 10-12pm. Free to attend, refreshments provided.

For more information or to book email northumberlandhub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk or call 07500 033349.

Magic Memories Friendship Group

Magic Memories is a social, wellbeing and friendship group for people with memory problems and their carers. The group also welcomes anyone feeling lonely and isolated who would like to start socialising again.

The group meets every other Monday from 1pm to 3pm in the church hall at Blyth Central Methodist Church, Beaconsfield Street.

There is a £2.50 fee per person which includes tea and coffee. For more information call Joanne on 07762 403 292 or join the Facebook group.

Singing for the Brain

Alzheimer’s Society holds three Singing for the Brain groups in Northumberland. All of the groups are informal, relaxed and friendly and are for anyone who has dementia or memory problems and their carers, family members and friends to come along to together. Times and venues:

Great Hall, Hexham Abbey on the first Thursday of the month, 2.30pm – 4.00pm.

Elderberries Room, The Alnwick Garden on the third Tuesday of the month, 1.30pm – 3.00pm.

Blyth Phoenix Theatre on the first Monday of the month, 1.30pm – 3.00pm.

All sessions are free; just turn up! For more information ring: 01670 813255 or email: northumberland@alzheimers.org.uk.

Please call before attending a session for the first time, as sessions are subject to change.

Find support from Alzheimer’s Society

Dougie’s Drop-in

Dougie’s Drop-in is a fortnightly peer support group for families affected by young onset dementia (people aged under 65). The group meets at Cramlington Community Hub, 2pm-4pm, every other week starting Monday 24 February 2025.

Admiral Nurses

Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses. Continually supported and developed by Dementia UK, they provide life-changing support for families affected by all forms of dementia.

As dementia specialists, Admiral Nurses help families manage complex needs, considering the person living with dementia and the people around them. When people are struggling,Admiral Nurses help them take back control. When friends and family are worried about a loved one, they give them the confidence to manage their future with dementia.

Admiral Nurses help people living with dementia stay independent for longer – and support the people caring for them so that they will have the strength to cope with the bad days, and the energy to enjoy the good days.

Morpeth Memory Cafe

The memory cafe is held at Morpeth Methodist Church and is for people with memory problems or dementia, and their family and friends. Come along for a chat, to pick up information and to enjoy some social time with others in a similar situation to your own. No need to book, just drop in. Refreshments will be available.

The café will run on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 10.30am to 12.00pm in the coffee lounge at the Morpeth Methodist Centre, Howard Terrace, Morpeth. For further information please call the church office on 01670 511 078.

Dementia Cafe in Berwick

HospiceCare North Northumberland runs Canny Cuppa Dementia Cafes in Berwick and Alnwick.

The cafes welcome the person with a dementia diagnosis and their loved one/carer. These friendly dementia cafes allow for social engagement over a cuppa, to share memories, chat, and enjoy engaging activities. The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming with an opportunity for the carer to have a one-to-one confidential chat with one of the dementia team. Places are limited, so contact the team to register by calling or 01289 309997 (Berwick) or 01665 606515 (Alnwick) or visit the website.

dementia walking football Northumberland

HospiceCare North Northumberland runs weekly Dementia Walking Football sessions at Berwick Leisure Centre – Mondays 10.30am – 11.30am, and Willowburn Sports and Leisure Centre in Alnwick – Wednesdays, 11am – 12pm. . The sessions end with well deserved cake and a cuppa!

To reserve a place call: 01289 309 997 or visit the website.

Useful links and information

National Dementia Hotline

Alzheimer’s Society’s helpline for advice, information and support.

Call: 0300 222 11 22.

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DemTalk

DemTalk is a free, web-based toolkit to help improve communication with people with dementia. It was produced in a project facilitated by the Alzheimer’s Society UK, by teams of stakeholders including communication researchers, technology designers, health and social care experts, carers and people living with dementia.

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Alzheimer’s Society

Advice and support on all aspects of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

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Dementia UK

Helping families to access care for those with dementia.

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NHS UK

A guide to symptoms, support and care of those with dementia.

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UK Care Guide

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