People with dementia and carers are enabled to access and connect to Social Prescribing offers and/or community based support.
Social prescribing is used where people can live better by improving social and environmental aspects of their lives. For example, social prescriptions might encourage people to live better by being active in their local community by volunteering, befriending or doing activities provided by community organisations.
For extra information, evidence and best practice please scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Regional offerings
Dementia Wellbeing Plan for Greater Manchester; Dementia United
Weblink: https://dementia-united.org.uk/dementia-wellbeing-plan/
Greater Sport and Greater Manchester Moving
Weblinks:
https://www.gmmoving.co.uk/key-partners/greatersport/about-us
https://www.gmactive.co.uk/
Dementia Awareness Community training package
There is growing evidence to suggest that art, music and leisure activities can offer physical and psychological benefits to those living with a dementia and their care partners, benefits which can improve their brain health and help them maintain independence for longer: (https://arts4dementia.org.uk/sp/).
This is why Trafford and Wigan councils have come together with Dementia United and GreaterSport to fund an exciting piece of work which will empower community groups, businesses and leisure providers to support people living with cognitive impairment and dementia in their communities.
Working in partnership, Made by Mortals and Together Dementia Support have developed an immersive training experience co-produced and shaped by people living with dementia and their care partners.
The complete training package can be accessed here: www.madebymortals.org/dementia-resource/. This resource includes an immersive audio experience and PDF training materials. Dementia United are currently seeking expressions of interest from localities who would like to work with us to coordinate a train the trainer package for their communities, this will include a 3 to 4-hour workshop hosted by instructors with significant training and dementia experience and individuals who have lived experience of dementia.
IDoService
National offerings
Age UK
Telephone: Advice line 0800 678 1602 free to call 8am - 7pm 365 days of the year
Weblink: https://www.ageuk.org.uk
Arts 4 Dementia
Weblink: https://arts4dementia.org.uk/
Music for Dementia
Weblink: https://musicfordementia.org.uk/
Personal Health Budgets
Weblinks: https://www.england.nhs.uk/personal-health-budgets/what-are-personal-health-budgets-phbs/
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Telephone: 0800 917 2222
Text phone: 0800 917 7777
Weblink: https://www.gov.uk/pip
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
Evidence
Social prescribing has been found to benefit people affected by dementia and services.
- Example of Dementia Companions in Shropshire
- Example of Primary Care Navigators in Gateshead
- NHS England: Improving dementia care through care navigation and social prescribing. It was noted that there was a lot of variation in outcomes for people with dementia nationally. In Gateshead, the Primary Care Navigator role in a GP practice connected people with dementia and carers to services and activities to help with well-being. This led to measurable benefits in a short period including reduced hospital admissions and improved patient experience.
- A survey in 2018 by the Royal College of GPs (General Practitioners) found that 59% of GPs believe social prescribing not only helped patients, but also reduced their workload by an average of 28%, and called for its use more widely.
You can find more information here
Best Practice Resources
Delivering Universal Personalised Care to 2.5 million people by 2024 is a key aspect of the NHS Long Term Plan published in 2019.
- Supporting people to make informed decisions and choose to do what matters to them for their health and well-being, is becoming business as usual.
- Measuring patient and carer experiences, of services and in the community, is more important than ever before.
Resources: Music: Dementia and Social Prescribing – Music for Dementia
A.R.T.S (Activities to Revitalise The Soul):
Exercise: The Neuroprotective Effects of Exercise on Cognitive Decline:
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI): The role of social prescribing for people diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment