Recent dementia diagnosis

If you have just been diagnosed with dementia, you may be worried and unable to take everything in. Give yourself a little time to adjust. It might help to talk it through with family and friends. 

It’s important to know that you are not alone – about 900,000 people in the UK have dementia. It’s possible to live well with dementia and there is support available for you and your family.

Our checklist for people with dementia page 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.

You can find useful information from the:

Employment

If you are still working, you may like to read the Alzheimer’s Society booklet on employment. This booklet provides information on work related issues including your right to reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Planning ahead

When you have been diagnosed with dementia you may already be dealing with changes that you did not expect. It can be even more difficult to think about the future. However, thinking ahead is a good thing to do. It can help you prepare for a time when it may be difficult for you to make decisions for yourself. For further information you may like to read living with dementia and planning ahead on the Alzheimer's Society website.

Training

If you have someone that supports you with tasks at home, they can attend a training programme about dementia. The course is run on a Tuesday morning for 6 consecutive weeks. There is also a one day or evening course for people who are unable to attend for the six weeks. Please contact Bracknell Memory Clinic for further information.

Research

If you want to know more about dementia research and how you can get involved, contact our local research team by:

You can register your interest with Join Dementia Research by:

Advocacy

If you would like someone to help you to represent your views, you can access our local Advocacy Service:

Memory service

The Memory Service is run by the NHS. If you have been prescribed medication from them, you will receive this through the post. 

You will be invited for a follow up appointment by the Memory Clinic nurse. They will review your medication and dosage and discuss any other concerns which you may have. Once you are stable on the medication, the Memory Service will discharge you. Your GP will then take over the prescribing of your memory mediation.

The Memory Service may discuss referring you or the person who supports you, to various other local services and support groups. 

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Group (CST) 

You may also 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 a person with dementia to cope with memory loss.

If you have someone that supports you with tasks at home, they may like to find more information for family carers.

Driving with dementia

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). 

Care coordinator

If you have a diagnosis of dementia, or care for a person with a diagnosis, you should have access to a care coordinator. This person will help you find and manage support.

A care coordinator could be a:

  • dementia adviser
  • care manager
  • social worker
  • mental health nurse
  • another practitioner involved in your care

Contact information

Dementia Adviser

Contact the dementia adviser by:

For out of hours emergency mental health support, phone 0800 129 9999.

For out of hours emergency social care support, phone 01344 351999.