Everyone needs a break to rest and recharge the batteries – and none more than people caring for family members with dementia. It can be helpful for everyone to have a break from each other from time to time and many care providers offer short stays or live-in arrangements. Or perhaps what is needed is a holiday away together?

Dementia Friendly Holiday Companies

Dementia Adventure (for holidays together)

Revitalise holidays

Holidays and Travelling with someone with Dementia- Alzheimers Society

The Kiloran Trust

Mind For You

Limitless Travel

British Legion Holidays

Respite Care

Respite for carers in Wiltshire

Carers Support Wiltshire- Respite and Support for Carers

Alzheimers Support- Home Support Service

Alzheimers Support- Day Clubs

Alzheimers Society- Side by Side

Respite Places in Care Homes- Wiltshire Adult Care and Support Guide

Support for Carers

Carers Support Wiltshire- Carers Cafes

Alzheimers Support- Carers Groups

Alzheimers Support- Ex Carers Group

Alzheimers Support- Carers Courses

Soundwell- Music Group for Carers Trowbridge

Laverstock Memory Support Group

Sometimes a clever gadget can make all the difference. Assistive technology and telecare can help to support and enable people with dementia to live more independently. It is not for everyone but when the right products are found they can be very helpful.

Assistive Technology

At Dementia. information on assistive technology products

Self-help guide to assistive technology needs

The Technology Gallery in Bath

Live Better With Dementia Website- Digital Memory Clocks

Buddi Tracker Stystem

Ownfone- Easy to use Mobile Phone

Lifelines and Telecare

Telecare providers in Wiltshire

AGE UK information Sheet on Telecare and Lifeline Providers

Remote care

The Memory Book - helpful guide by Paul Whitby

Sunflower Lanyards

A diagnosis of dementia will bring with it a range of emotions for the person directly affected and their whole family. There is support available to help people come to terms with the changes.

Counselling Services

Counselling providers in Wiltshire

Talking therapies available through your GP

We Hear You free counselling

Understanding a person’s emotional needs

Talking Point online forum run by Alzheimer’s Society

Support Services

Alzheimers Support- Dementia Advisers

AGE UK- Telephone Befriending Service

Swan Advocacy- Create a Living Well Plan

Dementia Action Alliance- Bradford on Avon

Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living

Samaritans

Solicitors

List of Solicitors in Wiltshire

Advocacy Services- Rethink

Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR)- A DNAR Form is a document issued and signed by the doctor, which teel the medical team not to attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Compassion in Dying- Information on DNAR

Advance Decision (Living Will)- Lets you refuse any medical treatment that you do not want to be given in the future.

Compassion in Dying- Information and Forms for Advance Decision

Alzheimers Society- Making Decisions about end of life care

NHS information on Advance Decision Making

Wills

Age UK- Information on Wills and Estate Planning

Age UK- Making a Will Fact sheet

Lasting Power of Attorney

Information on Lasting Power of Attorney- Alzheimers Society Fact Sheet

Applying for Lasting Power of Attorney Online

Driving and Dementia

Driving with Dementia- Alzheimers Society Fact Sheet

Informing the D.V.L.A of a Dementia Diagnosis

Benefits Advice Services

Wiltshire Citizens Advice Bureau- Benefits Advice and Support

Independent Living Centre- Benefits Advice Service

Sometimes the best laid plans need a back up plan.

Emergency Contacts

Emergency contact information

Emergency duty service

Wiltshire Council Adult Social Care- Advice and Contact Team

Wiltshire Victim Support

Staying Safe

Carers Emergency Card

Herbert Protocol- Help from Wiltshire Police to find a person if they go missing

Wiltshire Alert/I.C.E. Card

Safe Places

Intermediate care (after or instead of a hospital stay)

Help leaving hospital

Walking Groups

Devizes Walking Group

Bradford on Avon Walking for the Mind Group

Accessible Countryside Walks

Movement Groups

Alzheimers Support Movement for the Mind Groups

Age Uk Fitness and Friendship Groups

Springfield Community Campus, Corsham- Live Well Programme

Dance Classes

Strictly Seniors- The Cause, Chippenham

Dance Classes for Older Adults in Wiltshire

Dance Classes by Age Uk

Swimming

Westbury Swimming Pool

Occupational Health

Wiltshire Council Occupational Health Assessments

Independent Living Centre- O.T Assessment for Wheelchairs and Home Adaptions

Wiltshire Council Health Trainers Falls Prevention Class

Leg Clubs

Melksham Leg and Wellbeing Club

Devizes Leg Club

Foot Care

Simply Nails Toenail Cutting Service- Bradford on Avon

Foot Help- Foot Care

Mobility Centres

Assured Mobility - Devizes Mobility Centre

Gompels- Melksham Mobility Centre

Radar Key- Key which opens all Disabled Toilets

Eye Care

Wiltshire Sight- Devizes- Supporting Blind and Partially Sighted People Across Wiltshire

Would you like some help filling in forms? Support to make sense of a seemingly bewildering set of options? Or impartial guidance when things go wrong? Advocacy services can help you make choices, get your voice heard and understand your rights. The following links will take you to organisations that can help – or point you in the right direction.

Advocacy Services- Advocacy is a process of supporting and enabling people to express their views and concerns, access information and services and defend and promote their rights and responsibilities.

Advocacy services in Wiltshire

Wiltshire independent advocacy

Advocacy Easy-Read Guide

Benefits Advice Services- Places which offer Benefits and Debt Advice.

Benefits advice in Wiltshire

Wiltshire Citizens Advice

Independent Living Centre Benefits Service

Attendance Allowance- Attendance Allowance is a non-means tested benefit which helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to look after you.

Attendance Allowance Form

Age UK- Completing an Attendance Allowance Form Guide

Council Tax Reduction

Wiltshire Council Council Tax Reduction Form

Lasting Power of Attorney- A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.

Lasting Power of Attorney Online Application

Alzheimers Society Information on Lasting Power of Attorney

Make, Register or End a Lasting Power of Attorney

Support with Completing Forms

Age UK- Support Service for Completing Forms

The Hub, Bradford on Avon- Support with Form Filling

Wiltshire Local Area Co-Ordinators- Supporting people to obtain information, make practical and local connections

Blue Disability Badge for the Car

Online Application for a Blue Disability Badge for the Car

Wiltshire Council Applications for a Blue Disability Badge

Age Uk Guide to Completing a Blue Disability Badge

Dementia and Driving

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

CG1 Form to Inform the D.V.L.A. of a Dementia Diagnosis

Age UK In the Driving Seat Information Guide

Guidance when things go wrong

Healthwatch Wiltshire

Making a complaint about the NHS or a social care service

Online Referral to Wiltshire Council Adult Social Care Team

It’s a good idea to stay active and carry on doing the things you have enjoyed doing in the company of others. Or why not join a group doing something completely different?

Social Groups

Activity groups run by Alzheimer’s Support Including singing, art, gentle exercise, gardening and discussion groups

Art groups

Arts Together

Exercise classes

Gardening clubs

Memory Cafes

Kettle's On- Winsley Community Cafe

Tisbury Memory Club

Memory Sheds

Alzheimers Support- Living Well Discussion Group

Music and singing groups

GP referral for exercise or other leisure activities

Walking groups

Animals and the Outdoors- Holt

Connecting with others with dementia

Cinema

Tuesday Matinee Cinema Club- St Margaret's Hall Bradford on Avon

Trowbridge Silver Cinema- Odeon

Services to support people to access groups

Alzheimers Support- Home Support Service

Carers Support Wiltshire- Community Connectors

Alzheimers Society- Side by Side Service

Dementia Friends

Activities to do with people living with Dementia

Active Minds- Activities for people living with Dementia, helping families to reconnect and create new memories.

Dementia Radio- BBC Memories Reminiscense Radio

Deepness Dementia Radio- Music for Sleep through the Night

The Wiltshire Home Library Service

It is notoriously difficult to get about in Wiltshire, but that shouldn’t stop you from doing anything. Whether you need help to get to an appointment or to keep in touch with friends, with the links below you can find some help with getting about:

Community Transport

Wiltshire Link Scheme

Accessible Taxis

Non-emergency hospital transport

Leszan Door-to-Door in Melksham

Driving Miss Daisy

Community Transport South Wiltshire

Are you new to household chores because the person who usually takes care of it has a dementia? Is there just not enough time in the day to get it all done? Maybe there are specific jobs you need help with? Or is there someone you know who could do with a hand?

The links below were compiled in response to questions that came up when we asked people what they need help with. They include support with dog walking, shopping and maintenance around the home.

Help around the home

Approved tradespeople (search on this link by postcode and trade, eg plumbing, garden services)

Cleaners

HandyVan – Help for Ex-Service People with Home Adaptions i.e installing personal alarms

Wiltshire Bobby Van- Home Security Service run by Wiltshire Police for Older and Vulnerable People

Wiltshire Council Assisted Service for Rubbish Collection

Tasks around the house and dog walking

Warminster Help and Action Team (WHAT)- Supply Clothing, furniture and shopping for people

Meals delivered to your door

Wiltshire Farm Foods

Oakhouse Foods- Delivering Frozen Ready Meals

Melksham Community Meals

Parsley Box

5 A Day Box Home

Meals on Wheels- Ramsbury and Axford

Learning to cook

There are a number of ways professional support can enhance your life with dementia. The term ‘Care’ encompasses everything from a few hours of companionship, someone to help with personal care tasks that have become a little difficult to full time care. Care can be delivered in many ways. Sometimes it is enough to have a few ‘gadgets’ around the home which are monitored remotely to make you feel safe. We have grouped ‘care’ into sections. You can search on these links by postcode for providers near your home.

Support at Home

Alzheimer's Support Support at Home

Wiltshire Adult Care and Support Guide 2019/20- Find Care Providers near to you

Guide for families new to caring for an older person

Live in Care

Home Support

Alzheimers Society- Side by Side

Finding a Residential Care Home

Care Homes

Easy–read guide to paying for residential care

Care Quality Commission- Regulator of Health and Social Care in England

Guide to Direct Payments to pay for care

Choosing a Care Home- Dementia.org

Care Home Selection- Free Advice if looking for Care at Home or a Move to a Residential Home

Age UK- Finding a Care Home Checklist

Medvivo- Access to Care

Hospital Admissions

This is Me Document- A Support Tool to Enable Person-Centred Care

John's Campaign- The right for Carers to stay with people with Dementia in hospital

Royal United Hospital- Advice on discharge

Age UK- Home from Hospital Service

Lifelines

Telecare and Lifelines

AGE UK- Information Sheet on Lifeline Providers

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