We are the Community Mental Health Team for Older Adults (CMHTOA).
If you have been diagnosed with dementia or are supporting a person with dementia, you may be worried and unable to take everything in. It may help to give yourself a little time to adjust. Our checklist is here to help you. You may find that some suggestions are more of a priority than others and you may like to revisit some of the checklist at a later point in time.
If you need help you can contact our dementia adviser by:
- email: dementia.adviser@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
- phone: 01189 046900
Wellbeing
Meet members of the Dementia Advisory Service
The Dementia Advisory Service and Age Concern Bracknell Forest host a coffee morning together. Everyone is welcome and it is a great opportunity to have a chat with the team, as well as meet up with others in a similar situation.
Event details are:
- when: every Monday 10:30am to midday
- where: The Admiral Cunningham, Priestwood Court Road, Bracknell, RG42 1TU
If you are coming along for the first time, let us know in advance so we can introduce you when you arrive. You can call us on 01189 046900 or email us at dementia.adviser@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.
Support groups and events
There are lots of support groups and events for you to consider joining.
If you need help to access these groups, the Bracknell Forest Community Network can help you.
If transport is an issue, our voluntary transport service may be able to help.
Living well after your diagnosis
The Alzheimer’s Society have produced a great guide to help you live well with dementia. You don’t need to read all this information at once. You can focus on the parts that seem most relevant.
You may also find our guide helpful - living well with dementia.
Share your views
Find out how to share your views on services and support.
Planning ahead
The Alzheimer's Society has a useful guide on planning ahead, that includes information about lasting power of attorney and advance care planning.
You may also like to consider completing a ‘This is Me’ document to share with others. This can be used to share information about yourself.
Driving
If you are driving with a diagnosis of dementia you must tell:
- the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
- your car insurance company
Having a diagnosis of dementia doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stop driving. You can continue to drive for as long as it is safe to do so.
You may find it helpful to use this NHS driving decision making tool (pdf download - 5.8MB)
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST)
You may be invited to attend a CST. This is a programme of themed activity sessions held at the Memory Clinic one morning a week for 14 weeks. CST is one of a number of different approaches including therapy, that can support you to cope with memory loss.
If you are interested in attending, call the Bracknell Memory Clinic on 01189 046900.
Keeping safe
Message in a bottle
Message in a bottle is a simple idea where emergency information is kept in a small plastic bottle. This can then be easily and quickly found by the Emergency Services in an emergency.
If you'd like to do this, the Bracknell Forest Lions Club can help.
Herbert Protocol for people with dementia at risk of going missing
The Thames Valley Police - Herbert Protocol – is a useful document to complete and refer back to should a person with dementia get lost in the community.
Home fire safety check
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue service offer a free safe and well home visit to help reduce fire risks.
Vulnerable people, including people with dementia and those aged over 60 are eligible.
You can request a home visit by completing the safe and well online request form.
Home adaptations
Consider if any home adaptations would make things easier.
These could include:
- handrails
- stairlifts
- ramps
- lifeline pendants
- medication dispensers
Visit our occupational therapy page.
The Alzheimer's Society have a booklet about making your home dementia friendly.
We may also have grants available to make your home dementia friendly - visit our disabled facilities grants pages to find out more.
Lifelines and alarms
A lifeline may benefit someone who feels vulnerable at home. This may be due to age, disability, ill health or simply because you live alone and need a friendly and reassuring voice at the end of the phone. Forestcare have other alarms and sensors to also help around the home. They also have options for GPS trackers including the Pocket Pal.
Other GPS tacker options are available. Please speak with your Care Coordinator.
Care agencies and personal assistants
If you are looking for some extra help at home the Berkshire Care Directory provides information and guidance on accessing support through local care agencies as well as care homes.
Support With Confidence is an organisation that has a list of self-employed care workers (sometimes called personal assistants).
Money matters
Benefits
Check if there are any benefits that may apply to you or the person you supporting you.
The Age UK website has advice on benefits, including a benefits calculator.
This can help you find out what benefits you could be owed, including:
Find out about support visits if you need help to claim benefits, on GOV.UK.
Lasting power of attorney
Consider completing a lasting power of attorney for finance and health and welfare.
This is a legal document that lets you appoint one or more people to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.
Carers (family and friends)
Register with SIGNAL - our carer organisation
Our carer organisation for Bracknell Forest is SIGNAL. They offer free information and advice to adult carers.
Register on the Signal 4 Carers website.
Carers emergency card
You might wonder what would happen if you had an emergency that meant you couldn't provide the care you usually do. Having a carer's emergency card can help give you peace of mind.
Carers assessment
Think about completing a carers assessment with us. This is a good opportunity to review your own needs and get the support you need.
For carers of people with dementia there is a carers assessment template that can be completed. You can either complete this and send to your care coordinator or you can ask us to help you complete the form.
Utility companies
Contact your utility companies to tell them you are a carer. Some companies may provide benefits.
Your GP
Contact your GP to register as a carer.
Find out more on Carers UK.
Understanding dementia - training course
Consider attending the understanding dementia training course for family carers.
To sign up, call the Bracknell Memory Clinic on 01189 046900.
Support and resources
Care coordinator
Introduce yourself to your care coordinator. If you don't know who that is, ask us and we can help.
Your care coordinator could be our:
- dementia adviser
- community psychiatric nurse
- social worker
Dementia support eNewsletter
Ask us to add your details to our dementia adviser eNewsletter distribution list.
A copy of the most recent newsletter can be found on our Dementia Advisory Service page.
Dementia forum
Consider attending our dementia forum, held in April and October. This forum is for people living with dementia and their unpaid carers (family and friends).
Community map
Explore the community map and find out what's happening near you.