An update from DCAs across the region
Throughout the county there are now Dementia Care Advisors providing support in each locality, and we felt it would be wise to catch up with them to find out about their current services following the conclusion of Lockdown 2. Our thanks to them all for taking the time to talk to us.
West Berks, Wokingham & Reading – Hazel Power
Hazel is the newest recruit in the West Berks YODA role and has very kindly provided a Q&A to help introduce herself.
Who’s the new YODA and what’s a YODA?
Hi all, no I’m not the new star in a YODA/Star Wars spin off but the newly appointed Young Onset Dementia Adviser for West Berks, Reading and employed by Wokingham Borough Council.
Who am I?
I’m Hazel Power, some of you may have already seen me on a few of the YPWD workshops and groups via Zoom. You have all made me feel very welcome, thank you.
Where did I come from?
A resident of Wokingham and Barkham since 2003, my two girls both went to local schools until my husband was successful in anchoring a fabulous job at UC Berkley, California. We moved to the Bay Area (San Fran) in 2009 until another adventure presented itself and we headed off to Kuala Lumpur. Here I volunteered as an Events Lead for a charity set up to support training spouses overseas, we also adopted three stray cats! We then moved back to Wokingham.
How about now?
I’ve been in the position since early September and have stepped into some big shoes, I’m eager to get involved, support you where needed and very happy to reach out and introduce myself.
My role is to access and forward resources to the individual with dementia and their carer, this might include coming round for a one to one chat or call to find out more about you and your circumstances. You may still be in employment; or coming to the end of your career and looking towards planning the future. You may be worried about safety in the house or how your loved one is cared for if left alone whilst you run some errands. I haven’t got superpowers like the original YODA, but I can certainly lend an ear or spend some time with any individuals involved in the charity whilst covering the three localities of Wokingham, Reading and Newbury.
If you have any questions, do reach out and I’ll do my best to help, or will steer your query to the attention of other support services. I can be reached by email: hazel.power@wokingham.gov.uk and look forward to sharing some more memories and stories with you as I settle into the role.
To end with Christmas
Lastly, if you’re living in the Wokingham Borough, struggling with loneliness and in need of friendship, The Link Visiting service will help those of all ages by reaching out to individuals who are on their own on Christmas Day and inviting you to be part of their support programme.
www.linkvisiting.org/christmas
Windsor, Ascot & Maidenhead – Belinda, Kuran and Nancy
The dementia care advisors team in Windsor and Maidenhead have continued to provide support throughout the pandemic. Between the lockdowns and when in the lower tier we are providing phone support and advice as well as face to face visits, with PPE and risk assessment in place, in agreement with customers and carers. During lockdown and when in the higher tier we will continue to provide phone support and advice but will not be able to participate in face to face visits.
We have also provided some 1:1 support and therapy the last few months to some of our customers who were struggling with isolation and loneliness during this Covid crisis.
We have created activity and advice packs which have been delivered to people’s homes and are also available on-line on the Optalis webpage. From January we will be running a dementia drop in and regular therapy, craft and reminiscence sessions on Zoom.
We work alongside social and health care professionals as well as local volunteer organisations to support people at every stage of the dementia journey. We take referrals from any source including self-referral.
Our contact number is 01628 683715 and the email is DementiaCareAdvisor@RBWM.gov.uk
Bracknell – Karen White
Bracknell Forest Dementia Advisory Service provides information/advice and support to people diagnosed with dementia and their family/carers/friends. The service is available for anyone with a diagnosis of dementia in Bracknell Forest unless they are already being supported by a CPN/Social Worker. The service also has a Young Onset Dementia Adviser who can offer specialist advice and support.
At present the Dementia Advisory Service can offer one to one support via telephone/video calls and emails. We also host weekly Virtual Information Sessions with a variety of topics and guest presenters. The Service also produces a quarterly Newsletter which provides comprehensive information on local support/activities for both people with dementia and their carers.
If you are interested in sharing your views on local services and would like to participate in service development projects, you may like to join the Bracknell Forest Dementia Focus Group. This is a small group of people with dementia and/or Carers who meet quarterly to discuss any issues/gaps in services and consider how these can be addressed. Recent projects have included developing a Carers Checklist and working with Public Health on easyread ‘Covid 19 Prompt/reminder Cards’.
If you would like further information on any of the above or to find out how the Dementia Adviser could support you, please contact Karen White on 01344 823220 or email karen.white@berkshire.nhs.uk
You may also like to visit Bracknell Forest Council webpage on dementia: https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/dementia-support
Slough – Rumana Azeem
I am the Dementia Advisor for Slough and I’m here to provide advice and support to people of any age who are diagnosed with Dementia, their carers, their family and friends.
The diagnosis of dementia can cause a great deal of anxiety and you may have many questions. I can help you by offering advice on the following:
- Local activities, groups and support services
- Longer term planning, including legal issues
- Money matters and benefits
- Services offered by Health and Social Services
- Living well with dementia
- Taking a break
If you would like to contact me then please call 01753 635210, it will be lovely to hear from you.