Home Health and wellbeing Dementia
The word dementia describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or a series of strokes.
For more information about Alzheimer's and dementia visit Alzheimer's Society.
Too many people affected by dementia feel like society fails to understand the condition they live with, its impact, or how to interact with them. That's why people with dementia sometimes feel they need to withdraw from their community as the condition progresses.
A dementia-friendly community is a city, town, or village where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported. In a dementia-friendly community, people will be aware of and understand dementia, so that people with dementia can continue to live the way they want to and in a community they choose. Dementia-friendly communities are vital in helping people live well with dementia and stay a part of their community.
In 2016, Middlesbrough Council received national recognition from the Alzheimer’s Society for being a dementia-friendly town. The recognition process enables communities to be publicly recognised and celebrates their work in working towards becoming dementia friendly.
We want to make sure that people living with dementia are able to remain active and included members of their communities, maintain their independence for as long as possible, be treated with understanding and respect and receive support when necessary.
Dementia Friends is a national initiative designed to help people develop an understanding of dementia and the small things they can do that could make a difference to people living with dementia. For example, helping someone find the right bus, or spreading the word about dementia on social media.
To arrange an interactive online or face-to-face Dementia Friends session in your local community, please contact Emma McInnes on 01642 728756. We need a minimum of 5 people to deliver a session.
You can find out more on the the Dementia Friends website.
We would like business and other organisations from across Middlesbrough to take a number of low cost, easily achievable steps that will enable them to meet the needs of their customers living with dementia and their carers.
To become a dementia-friendly business, you need to register on the dementia-friendly Middlesbrough programme. To find out more, visit the Dementia Action Teesside website or contact Marie Kerr by emailing marie@dementiaactionteesside.org or calling 07544 859 951.
The South Tees Dementia and Wellbeing Community Hub is a community base for people living with dementia, and their carers.
The hub is a place to meet up, take part in activities and events, and chat to people from various support organisations for help and advice. Information is available at the hub for anyone pre- and post-dementia diagnosis.
Check out the hub activities list to find out more about what's on.
The Dementia and Wellbeing Community Hub is located at: Woodside Resource Centre, Cavendish Road, Beechwood, Middlesbrough, TS4 3EB. It's open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.
For more information, contact Rucksana Aslam (Dementia and Wellbeing Community Hub coordinator) by calling 01642 368945 or emailing rucksana.aslam@nhs.net.
Alternatively, you can call Woodside Resource Centre on 01642 368930 or email TEWV.mhsopwellbeing-dementiahub@nhs.net.
Age UK offers drop-in advice sessions for people with a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's, and those who care for people with dementia or Alzheimer's. The sessions offer advice and support from Age UK's Dementia Advisors. They can also refer you to other organisations, or other Age UK services, if you need extra support. Find out more about drop-in advice sessions.
They also offer group sessions for people who have a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's, and those who care for people with dementia or Alzheimer's. The groups give carers some much-needed respite time to enjoy a cuppa and chat with others in a similar position, while the person with a diagnosis enjoys activities and socialising in a secure environment. Find out more about dementia and carer groups.
Age UK also runs a range of activities in Middlesbrough, including exercise sessions, walks, and music sessions. Check out the Age UK activities timetable.
Information and activities which may be of interest to people living with dementia, and those who care for people with dementia:
Dementia cafes provide information about living with dementia and other services available locally in an informal and comfortable environment. A dementia cafe is also a place to relax, socialise and meet other people with dementia and their carers. The services are for people with dementia, their carers and families, and professionals in health and social care.