Support for the Younger Person with Dementia
Our aim here is to offer a very positive choice of 'things to do' for the person with dementia. A trained support worker partners the person, and they develop a trusting relationship. Once this is established then we work regularly alongside the person, encouraging, supporting, and pursuing activities that bring pleasure and satisfaction. The rich range of activities can be anything that is significant to the person, from warm companionship to fulfilling lifetime ambitions, and anything in between.
In practice, the sessions are usually 2-4 hours each week, with flexibility built in. Being with an experienced support worker offers reassurance through periods of change in condition and abilities, and particularly if the person has respite breaks or moves to a care home.
The service is for people who have experienced the symptoms of dementia whilst under the age of 65 years, and live within range of our Oxfordshire team. Once introduced to the service, age is irrelevant, and we continue until the person no longer benefits from the active service provided. Anyone can refer a person to the service, with their agreement.
Download our information leaflet on the One to One Service 
and a referral form 
.
"Michael’s Monday mornings are the highlight of his week" - Michael’s wife, Gillian
"Wendy’s two visits with the support workers are really important to her and give her a structure to the week so that she is much more contented for the rest of the time. She loves swimming and is much less fearful of meeting people then she was in the past." - Wendy’s brother
Facts about the service
- started in April 1998
- fourteen trained staff in the One to One team
- Nearly 7000 hours of support delivered this year to over
- 55 younger people with dementia
- between age 36 and late 60s (average age 56)
Support for the Family and Friends of Younger People with Dementia
To achieve the best quality of life for the younger person, and their partner and family, a network of care and support is likely to be needed. Planning early on for this by establishing the contacts and relationships locally should mean that support can be triggered when necessary.
Taking a break, sharing the responsibility and linking up with others in similar circumstances for mutual support can help.
The dedicated team provides individual and group support, including coffee 'n' chats and walk 'n' talks, as well as regular social events throughout Oxfordshire. There is a Resource library available to service members, and there are plenty of opportunities to get to know people who are living with the same challenges. And to keep everyone in touch, an occasional newsletter is published three times each year.
The Family Service is developing telephone and email support to family members beyond Oxfordshire and its boundaries.
"Thank you so much for the information and for the very welcome news that you can offer some support. It was a bright light in what is at present a fairly dark place. May I say that your empathy with our situation, when I telephoned, gave me a real lift." - Jane
Facts about the service
- started in April 2005
- three staff dedicated to family support
- over 70 family members intensively supported this year
- between ages 8 to 80
Download more information on the
Family Service (35KB)
Young child - Grandparent with dementia 2009 from
Oxford Institute of Ageing (258KB)
Do You Have a Parent With Young Onset Dementia?
download this short article from 2011.
Social events are held throughout the year in locations across Oxfordshire. Relaxed and informal, these provide opportunities for the people we support, their partners and families to enjoy time together, supported by our team.
Our members and team enjoying our sunny Founders’ Garden Party.
"We’ve never needed a support group before but you seem to do it all. J goes out with the one to one worker and it’s like having the normal social life that she had before. All other things for her are either in groups or medical.
For me, its so good to meet other people in the same circumstances and to be able to talk about everything. It’s helped me understand the diversity of dementia and how different each person is. It has helped me get a perspective on my situation. Initially you think it is a medical condition but as you get used to it, the social aspects are even more important."
Andrew, Family Member
Special events chosen by members to mark 10 years of service include:
A Balloon launch in April
A Barn Dance in July
A lasting legacy - the launch of our Friends group
And a public awareness event, Question Time on Dementia, in March
Baroness Susan Greenfield introduced the dementia debate,
The panel: Jo Coburn, BBC Political Correspondent (Chair) Clive Evers, Alzheimer's Society Director; Barbara Pointon, campaigner and former carer; Jeremy Wright MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia and Bill Wilson, Alzheimer's Society Ambassador.
Bill was diagnosed with dementia in his late 50s and now seeks to increase the public's understanding of dementia. He says he accepts what he's got, 'I'm just Bill with dementia' and knows 'the beast will take me one day'. His plea is that we talk more about dementia 'mention it at least once a week' so we are used to hearing about the condition, and understand it better, 'don't hide it any longer, let's get it out of the shadows'.
A monthly evening Cafe providing enjoyable social time for younger people with dementia, their families and friends, an opportunity to meet up with others in similar circumstances and easy access to information and the team is now part of our lively calendar. A delicious supper, music, games and occasional 'live' entertainment and a very warm welcome is on offer.
The cafe is on the fourth Thursday evening each month, excluding December, at Cassington Village Hall, Oxfordshire.
You can find out Whats On by
downloading our flyer.
"I have a night out with someone to talk to who understands exactly what
my situation is because theirs is the same. I go home feeling much less isolated". - Heather
"the café provides me with a place of light relief, friendship, information, support, laughter - you don't have to explain about your partner's behaviour, you can relax completely". - Ness
Entertainers
We have some lively musicians and dancers who give their time and talents to entertain us at the Cafe:
Here you can see just some of the services and activities we are involved with. We are always looking out for new opportunities for improving the support of younger people with dementia and their families and friends.
