I hope this page will be of help where dementia may be an issue and will point you to local resources within the Polegate, Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford area.

Have I got Dementia or Alzheimers? Thoughts..

Dementia and a lousy memory are not the same thing, I discovered when I asked my doctor to refer me for tests.

Much to my delight, it turns out (after a lengthy delay – apparently there is more capacity but the NHS are rationing it) I really do just have a lousy memory, but the answer may be different for you, and the earlier you know, the better you can deal with it and minimise its impact.

If the answer to “have I got dementia?” is yes, it could be too late to get those Lasting Powers of Attorney in place, so call me today on 01323 766766.

(Obviously, I want you to contact me to get the Lasting Powers of Attorney organised so you avoid the clutches of the Court of Protection which is where you end up having your life run via the Court if you don’t have valid Lasting Powers of Attorney.)

Step 2. Ask your GP, “Do I have dementia?”

East Sussex GPs have a number of memory and dementia services they can refer you to, though the one I found most helpful has a 9-month waiting list because the NHS won’t allow them to take more appointments.  If you have private healthcare, maybe ask them if they can help.

Step 2a.  Have I got dementia? No, but maybe a parent has:

This can be trickier; to be honest, priority 1 is to get the Lasting Powers of Attorney organised.  Reactions to suggesting they might have dementia are unlikely to be positive, unless they have been worrying about it, sometimes for many years.  My mother-in-law had stopped going from Willingdon to Eastbourne years before she got diagnosed with dementia.  Looking back, she had avoided telling us that she was having trouble finding her way home, hence eventually hardly leaving home without us at all.   We always wonder how much easier her life would have been had she had the support which would have been available with a formal diagnosis many years earlier.

Once the ability to make decisions has been lost (it is more complex than that, but this is the gist) then the family – husband, wife, parents, children – can only look after the patient (“P” in the legal parlance) if they have been appointed as Attorneys in registered Lasting Powers of Attorney.  The alternative is to apply to be a “Deputy” via the Court of Protection which is infinitely more cumbersome, restrictive and expensive.  The family may not even be appointed, it could be a solicitor.

In this case, you have to get the GP involved as soon as possible to ensure the best possible outcome. As it happens, my mother in law found peace and company for many years and was far happier in a Care Home than spending much time alone at home.  We rented her home out to help with the care fees, and the Council took a second charge on the property to pay the balance, though they do charge interest on it, so it is a balancing act. If property prices go up at a good rate, you may come out ahead of just selling the property, though this would not have been an issue if her husband had been alive.   Paying care fees and who should pay is a nightmare requiring specialist advice, which I can introduce you to. It can save a very large amount of money or indeed the home.

In some cases, the NHS should pay the care fees, but they are unlikely to meekly accept their duty to do so.

 

Have I got Dementia: Resources which may help.

These are not listed in any special order. These organisations offer a range of services from information and advice to support groups and specialized care, helping both people with dementia and their carers in East Sussex.  Use my enquiry form to add any more that you know of.

1. Alzheimer’s Society East Sussex Office: they provide dementia telephone support, an online community called Dementia Talking Point, and a Dementia Directory to help find local support services. 01273 726266 Email: br******@al********.uk” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>br******@al********.uk
2. DISC Dementia Support: This local community interest company offers information, support groups, 1:1 support, carer courses, and professional training for people with dementia and their carers
3. The Good Company People: They provide personalized services including social events, affordable day services, carer support, and access to dementia specialists
4. Association of Carers: while not exclusively for dementia, they support unpaid carers in East Sussex with various services, including those caring for people with dementia
5. Wealden Dementia Action Alliance (WDAA): providing local support information, advice, and list local dementia support groups and activities
6. Care for the Carers: lots of useful contacts and advice.
7. Wealden Dementia Forum we*******@we*****.uk
8. Hailsham Community Cafe:  At St Wilfrid’s Church Hall in Hailsham. Everyone is welcome. Free refreshments followed by an activity each month. The second Thursday of every month, 2pm – 4pm. For more information please call Home Instead on 01323 819191
9. Golden Oldie film afternoons at Hailsham Pavilion:  Film afternoons for everyone to enjoy at Hailsham Pavilion.  Doors open at 1.30pm – Screening start at 2pm
   Tickets £5.00 Including a complimentary tea/coffee (Carers Free of charge) Hailsham Pavilion Theatre, George Street, Hailsham, BN27 1AE  Box Office Open Hours: Mon to Sat 10am – 4pm. Tel: 01323 841414 Email: in**@ha**************.uk
10. Polegate Memory Café:  Meet on the first Thursday of the month at Polegate Community Centre, Windsor Way, BN26 6QF. Everyone is welcome. The cafe is free with refreshments and an activity each month. For more information please contact Home Instead by calling 01323 819191
11. Sporting Memories:  Groups allow older sports fans to get together to talk sports. The group encourages participation and inclusion of all, including those living with memory problems. The aim is to promote physical and mental well-being through reminiscing about sporting experiences of watching or playing – literally any sport! Thereby using sport as a means to try and combat loneliness and isolation by giving the chance to boost confidence and make new friends. The groups meets every Wednesday 10.00am till 12.00noon at Polegate Community Centre, Windsor Way, BN26 6QF. For more information email em*********@su***********.uk 
12. Willingdon Community Cafe: Fourth Thursday of the month at Trinity Church, Coppice Avenue, Willingdon, BN20 9PN. The cafe is free with refreshments and an activity each month. For more information please contact Home Instead by calling 01323 819191
13. The Herbert Protocol if the person is likely to go walkabout and the Police may need to look for find them. Use your professional opinion as a carer or your knowledge as a family member to decide whether a person is at risk of going missing. Further information and the form can be found on the Sussex Police website.