Healthy Living

Dementia

The term ‘dementia’ is used to describe a collection of symptoms, including:

a decline in memory, reasoning and communication skills,
and a gradual loss of skills needed to carry out daily activities.

These symptoms are caused by changes in the brain as a result of physical diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Dementia can affect people of any age, but is most common in older people.
One in 20 people over 65, and one in five people over 80, has a form of dementia. Dementia is a progressive condition. This means that the symptoms become more severe over time.

There are different types of dementia caused by different diseases of the brain but typically symptoms will include:
Loss of memory – for example, forgetting the way home from the shops, or being unable to remember names and places.
Mood changes – these happen particularly when the parts of the brain which control emotion are affected by disease. People with dementia may feel sad, angry or frightened as a result.
Communication problems – a decline in the ability to talk, read and write

The PCT commissions a number of services within its geographical footprint they consist of both statutory providers and charities that rely on volunteers to support people mental health problems and Dementia some of these are:

Alzheimer’s society provide advice and support for anyone who has issues with dementia or memory There are branches in Macclesfield, Crewe and Northwich. http://alzheimers.org.uk/

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership trust who provide mental health services for children, adults and older people, as well as learning disability and drug and alcohol services. http://www.cwp.nhs.uk/Pages/welcome.aspx

Macclesfield Mind provide support to people with mental health problems particularly for people who live in East Cheshire who need support with regard to their employment; http://www.mind.org.uk/help/mind_in_your_area/259

Farm Crisis Network have volunteers will talk to farmers over the phone or will visit them on the farm to help them through the difficult times that so many farmers are experiencing at present. http://www.farmcrisisnetwork.co.uk/Cheshire/

Winsford Mind provides a drop in for people who have mental health problems. http://www.winsfordmind.org.uk/

South Cheshire Community Council also provides an informal drop in for people to go along to in Crewe. They do not have a website but can be found in the imperial chambers in Crewe town Centre or can be contacted on 01270 262600

The Citizens advice bureau in Crewe, Macclesfield and Winsford also provide support and advocacy for people who have mental health problems. They are able to help with a range of issues including support with housing / bills and also act as an advocate in cases where people are subject to section under the mental health act these are called IMHAs or Independent Mental Health Advocate
http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/bureau_detail.htm?serialnumber=101228
http://www.cecab-north.org.uk/
http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/bureau_detail.htm?serialnumber=100638