Psychosocial therapies for improving and maintaining cognitive functioning should be offered to those living with with mild-to-moderate dementia.
These therapies may be based on art or music, or a course of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy. There should be a range of therapies so that you can choose which is most suitable for you.
National offerings
Arts 4 Dementia
Weblink: https://arts4dementia.org.uk/
MSNAP Memory Assessment Service Standards
Weblink: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/improving-care/ccqi/quality-networks-accreditation/memory-services-national-accreditation-programme-msnap/msnap-standards
NICE Dementia Guidance
Weblinks:
We have provided links to the NICE guideline for dementia and a further link is provided to guidance on how to delay or prevent the onset of dementia.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) NG16 (2015) Dementia, disability and frailty in later life – mid-life approaches to delay or prevent onset: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng16
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2019) Dementia: assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng97
Healthwatch
Telephone: Call: 03000 683 000 between the hours of 08:30 – 17:30 Monday to Friday
Email: enquiries@healthwatch.co.uk
Weblink: https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/your-local-healthwatch/list
Intergenerational Music Making (IMM)
We work closely with care homes, schools, hospitals, and musicians and creatives, sharing our expertise to deliver and embed a culture of intergenerational practice.
Intergenerational music is all encompassing working with individuals and groups across our communities focussing on bridging the gaps between generations, supporting those living with dementia and their carers. Our work aims to tackle health inequalities and create new spaces where voices can be heard. acknowledged and celebrated. Through music making, song writing, choral singing, art, movement and so much more, we work to provide spaces for people to share their stories, make new connections and adopt creative, accessible ways to support health and wellbeing.
Website: www.imm-music.com
Email: info@imm-music.com or chris@togetherwithmusic.org.uk
Dementia Diaries
Dementia Diaries gives a voice to people with dementia through more than three thousand audio and video diaries.
Why am I a Dementia Diarist?
"I'm Agnes...
and I share my Dementia Diary because I can share my happy, sad moments and I’m a part of something wonderful and I call them my pals.”
"I'm Tommy...
the only way you can truly learn to know what it’s like to live with dementia is to listen and learn from my peers who are here everyday living with it.”
"I’m Lorraine...
what inspires me to make Dementia Diaries is to record the passion and emotions of the moment.”
We bring together the many different experiences of living with dementia.
Diarists want to change the way people think about dementia, and about people with dementia.
We hope that the diaries inspire and inform people affected by dementia, and their wider communities and organisations.
Diaries can be used publicly in awareness raising and by researchers looking for insight into the lived experience of dementia.
How does the project work?
Diarists record diaries in a number of ways. Some record their diaries over the 'phone. Others send in audio or video they have recorded themselves. Our team of volunteers then transcribe the diaries, so you can read as well.
We then publish the diaries here.
Listen to some diary entries
Meet our diarists
Interested in becoming a diarist?
Dementia Friendly place of worship
Making your place of worship dementia friendly - Temple
This leaflet is also available in alternative formats and additional languages.
Please email: communicationsmanchester@nhs.net or call 0161 213 1750 for more information.
Small changes that make a big difference It’s really important to make your place of worship dementia friendly and to continue to use mosques and temples.
Lighting; improved lighting can help to prevent dark areas and shadows forming on the floor which can be confusing for someone living with dementia. Flooring; different colours can represent something different for someone living with dementia, e.g. dark carpets or rugs can look like an object that needs to be stepped over, it may look like a hole in the floor. Blue carpets/tiles may look like water and green carpet/tiles may look like grass. Use different coloured flooring/tiling to the colouring on the walls. Wall paper/wall coverings; try not to use stripes or strong patterns. Electrical Appliances; trailing cables or wires can cause confusion and fear for someone living with dementia e.g. these wires can appear like a snake. Furniture/furnishing – living with dementia can cause confusion particularly when trying to remember where things are kept. Use pictures and labels on cupboards so people can find items easily. Mirrors – someone living with dementia may find looking in a mirror quite distressing as they may not recognise their own reflection. Limit the number of mirrors or where possible remove mirrors
Evidence
- Psychosocial interventions and post-diagnostic support are available regardless of dementia subtype and age.
- People living with dementia have access to a local programme of appropriate group Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST).
- Patients have access to cognitive rehabilitation according to their clinical needs.
- Cognitive rehabilitation constitutes an individualised approach where personally relevant goals are identified and the therapist works with the patient and his/her family to devise strategies to address these. The emphasis is on improving performance in everyday life rather than on cognitive tests, building on the patient’s strengths and developing ways of compensating for impairments.
- Interventions to promote cognition, independence and wellbeing
- Offer a range of activities to promote wellbein that are tailored to the person's preferences.
- Offer group cognitive stimulation therapy for people living with mild to moderate dementia.
- Consider group reminiscence therapy for people living with mild to moderate dementia.
- Consider cognitive rehabilitation or occupational therapy to support functional ability in people living with mild to moderate dementia.
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST): summary of evidence on cost-effectiveness: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/dg-cognitive-stimulation-therapy.pdf