Our services are constantly evolving, as are our relationships with other organisations. We can offer part of the support that is needed, and by working with others, we hope to put in place what we can not achieve alone. Here you can keep up-to-date on just some of the developments.
Latest Update
Buoyed by a gift of £500,000 from the Bray D'Oyly Housing Association, 'YoungDementia UK Homes' is a significant step closer to becoming a reality for younger people with dementia in Oxfordshire and the bordering counties. Our hopes for a previous potential site having foundered, the land search throughout the county has been initiated with increased energy and enthusiasm. 'YoungDementia UK Homes' will offer short breaks and long-term accommodation so that younger people with dementia and their families have a high quality alternative to home when or if another option is needed. The YoungDementia UK services will link with 'YoungDementia UK Homes' to offer the continuum of care and support which is so important to families affected by dementia.
We are working with the health and social services to improve the services for younger people with dementia and their families in Oxfordshire. The aim is to ensure that younger people feel well-supported throughout their unique experience of dementia to enable them, and their families, to live life as well as possible.
We work with other organisations involved in dementia care to improve the experience of people with dementia and their families. The Oxfordshire Dementia Forum includes representatives from the Alzheimer's Society, SPECAL (Specialist Early Care of people with Alzheimer's), Age UK, Guidepost Trust and others. A major initiative resulting from this Forum is the dementiaweb.org.uk website. This is an all-age information resource for people with dementia, their families and health professionals on dementia and the support and care available in Oxfordshire. We plan to continue developing ways of working with other organisations for the benefit of those living with dementia.
Specialist services that respond to the needs of younger people with dementia and their families are gradually establishing across the UK. These developments are patchy and fragmented, and often do not address the range and complexity of needs. There is no single campaigning group to champion the cause with the result that organisations, and sometimes even single workers, tend to waste time and effort reinventing wheels.
In Oxfordshire we are working to improve the range and quality of services for younger people with dementia. YoungDementia UK has become a focal point for consultation and discussion amongst those most affected and those who can do something about it. We would welcome any ideas on how to make these services a priority matter. |
