Hospital care
Our local hospitals have schemes in place that offer support for people with dementia, during their stay in hospital. These include:
- the Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
- the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
- advice about going into hospital from the Alzheimer's Society
- advice about preparing for hospital discharge from Carers UK
- advice about planning to leave hospital on GOV.UK
- information about support at home to prevent an unnecessary hospital admission or after a hospital stay
- The British Red Cross - helps people to stay independent and offers:
GP care
NHS Frimley is the statutory NHS organisation responsible for planning and delivering health and care services.
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy helps people with disabilities carry out essential activities, with the aim of maintaining or improving independence.
They can help to:
- enable an individual to remain in their own home throughout a period of rehabilitation
- make a home safe for getting around, for example by installing hand rails and ramps
- support carers to maintain their caring responsibilities
- manage personal care, such as getting you to the bathroom and on and off the toilet
- get you safely around your home so you can prepare meals, get in and out of bed and manage the steps and stairs
For more information, email the Adult Social Care Team adult.socialcare@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.
Specialist mental health occupational therapist
A specialist mental health occupational therapist assesses the impact of mental health and cognitive changes on day-to-day functioning.
Their support includes:
- alternative techniques
- compensatory approaches
- supportive equipment and technology
They can help in the following ways.
Day-to-day functioning assessment
They can all areas of the persons day-to-day functioning. This is useful if trying to pinpoint where the person’s difficulties lie or if you are considering a change of living environment.
Telecare equipment assessment
They can assess whether you would benefit from a range of telecare equipment to reduce risk and support the person to remain in the home environment.
This could include a temporary loan of the Canary System. The Canary System uses movement sensors in rooms and at the front and back doors to create a picture regarding the person’s routine. It will also monitor temperature and light levels.
Dementia friendly advice
They can give advice on:
- making your home dementia friendly
- memory support strategies and equipment
- activities, such as eating, drinking and communication
For more information, contact the dementia adviser.
Speech and language therapy
If you have a diagnosis of dementia, you may experience difficulties with communication and swallowing.
Communication difficulties might include:
- difficulty remembering what someone has said or a question they have asked
- forgetting the names of objects or people
- finding it harder to get your words out
- difficulty keeping track of conversations
Swallowing difficulties might mean:
- you find it harder to chew food
- you find yourself chewing without swallowing
- that eating and drinking makes you cough
Speech and language therapists are trained to support people with these difficulties.
You will be able to see a speech therapist if you have a referral accepted by the Bracknell Memory Clinic and the Memory Team feels you will benefit from speech therapy support.
These links have useful advice:
- NHS website - communicating with someone with dementia
- Alzheimer's Society website:
Research
Join dementia research
If you would like to take part in research, you can register your interest with Join dementia research.
NHS research
The NHS is committed to taking part in health research so that they can continue to improve our treatments and services.
Your participation can help improve their understanding of a wide range of health issues.
Types of studies
There are many different types of studies. This means you can choose the ones that fit the best with your lifestyle. Some of the types of studies include:
- completing a questionnaire
- giving a blood or tissue sample
- clinical trials (medicines)
- trying new equipment and treatments
- testing new ways to diagnose an illness
- taking part in a focus group or interview
Your choice
Taking part in research is your choice, and you can change your mind at any time.
Research results
If you want to know the results of the study, ask the study team.
Contact
You can get in contact by:
- email: research@berkshire.nhs.uk
- phone: 0118 378 5274