What is Dementia?
Dementia is a group of symptoms. It’s caused by different diseases that damage the brain. The symptoms get worse over time and include:
- memory loss
- confusion and needing help with daily tasks
- problems with language and understanding
- changes in behaviour.
Dementia is progressive, which means symptoms may be relatively mild at first, but they get worse over time. There are many types of dementia but Alzheimer’s disease is the most common. The next most common is vascular dementia.
What Causes Dementia?
Dementia is not a natural part of aging. It is caused when a disease damages nerve cells in the brain.
Nerve cells carry messages between different parts of the brain, and to other parts of the body. As more nerve cells are damaged, the brain becomes less able to work properly.
Dementia can be caused by many different diseases. These diseases affect the brain in different ways, resulting in different types of dementia.
In an initial appointment, the GP should ask the person about:
- the problems they are having
- when they started, and whether it was sudden or gradual
- how they affect their daily life
It’s helpful if a partner, relative or friend goes to the appointment too, as they may have noticed changes that the person themself hasn’t.
They should also briefly test the person’s memory and cognitive abilities. This might include asking them to:
- state the day, date and year
- name some common objects, for example from pictures, or as answers to questions
- remember and repeat items to test concentration and short-term memory
In addition, the doctor should do a physical examination and arrange blood and urine tests to rule out other possible causes of the person’s symptoms and also a CT image of the person’s brain.
After the initial appointment, the GP may refer the person to a specialist. This could be:
- a psychiatrist with experience in dementia
- a doctor specialising in elderly care (geriatrician)
- a doctor specialising in the brain and nervous system (neurologist)
- The person may be seen in a memory clinic, a hospital or a community setting like a GP practice.
At the appointment, the specialist should take a detailed medical and family history. In addition, they will ask questions about the person’s abilities with everyday tasks such as shopping, cooking, driving, and self-care, such as washing and dressing. The specialist should then assess the person’s cognitive abilities using tests of attention, memory, verbal fluency and language, and their visual and spatial abilities. This might include exercises such as:
- counting backwards from 20
- memorising an address and recalling it a few minutes later
- copying a diagram
- drawing a clock face
They may also request a brain scan to look for any abnormalities such as a tumour or evidence of a stroke, if that has not already been done by the GP.
As with the initial GP appointment, it’s a good idea for a family member or someone else who knows the person well to go with them and share any useful information. If they can’t, they may want to write a short letter outlining the issues.
We have lots of information to help you understand more about dementia and find support.
Crossley Street Surgery provides a Memory Support Clinic service once a month. This is a GP-led clinic with Dr Gillian Kitchen, which is held every month, it is for patients who have been diagnosed with dementia.
Crossley street surgery has an appointed Memory Support Worker For anyone who has a diagnosis of dementia or has memory problems.
Our support worker is called Carolyne Threadgold and she is part of the Alzheimer's society. She can be contacted via email or mobile phone between 9-5pm Monday to Friday. She can help with information regarding dementia, advise on benefits, recommend local activities and visit you at your home. She is also having a twice a month session at Crossley Street Surgery that anyone can book into for support through the surgery reception.
07980 970693
The Alzheimer’s Society is an organisation that provides support for people affected by dementia via a telephone support line, as well as through dementia support workers, printed information and an online community called Talking Point. Alzheimer's Society funds dementia research.
At Age UK we provide services and support at a national and local level to inspire, enable and support older people. We stand up and speak for all those who have reached later life, and also protect the long-term interests of future generations.
We offer services to improve the quality of life for over 60s in Wetherby and surrounding villages. We were founded in 2003 and are a registered charity organisation, part funded by Leeds City Council.
Our services include: Befriending, Grass cutting funded by Children in Need, Transport services, Send a smile scheme and other Information and Advice.
Our social activities include:
- WiSE Owl Cafe for the Community
- Welcome Café
- Line Dancing
- Silver Social
- WiSE Goes to the Movies
- Memory Café (referral only)
- Knit, Natter, Craft and Chatter
- Wetherby Methodist Church Coffee Morning
- Walton Coffee Morning
- Elderberries
- Bingo
01937588994
Carers Leeds provide specialist dementia carer support throughout the city in order to support carers of people living with memory problems or a diagnosis of dementia. To access this free service simply phone our advice line on 0113 380 4300. We offer one to one carer support by appointment in a community venue, over the phone and online. We also have a number of carers support groups throughout Leeds and online.
Carers Leeds offers a specific service to carers of people with dementia or memory problems in Leeds acute hospitals. We have a specialist Dementia Carer Support Worker based at St James’ hospital but they cover all Leeds hospital sites. Much of the work focuses on involving carers in discharge planning and ensuring carers are informed about services available to them in the community.
Advice Line Telephone: 0113 380 4300
Advice Line Email:
At The Rainbow Care Group, our mission is to provide individualised, person-centred care to people living with dementia in our community. We take pride in placing the person we are caring for at the centre, and involve them in the planning and delivery of their support plan, ensuring our care services to be dedicated and dignified. We always promote independence and enable people to participate in social interaction through meaningful and purposeful activities. Our priority is to support those living with dementia to maintain the best quality of life possible whilst staying in the place they call home.
Our day clubs promote independence, social interaction and activity, cognitive stimulation, and friendship; all delivered in a safe environment with full care support for those who need it. Our daycare service offers an amazing alternative to traditional care home-based day care, as we run our daycare in community settings, so for those who attend it feels more like a club. It is staffed by fully qualified support workers who are trained in first aid, moving & handling and dementia awareness.
01423 223 454
Linking Leeds is an integrated, free city-wide Social Prescribing service for people in Leeds.
Social Prescribing is a way of linking individuals with a range of local community services to improve social, emotional and mental wellbeing.
Linking Leeds provides Social Prescribing for all people aged 16 years and above, no matter where they live in the city – while responding to the specific health profiles of communities.
Our aim is to connect people to services and activities in their community in order to benefit overall health and wellbeing.
We believe that everyone can live a fulfilled life, however, sometimes people need help to achieve this.
Feeling linked to your community has lots of health and wellbeing benefits that support resilience, independence and good physical and mental health.
So, if practical or emotional problems are stopping you feeling your best, Linking Leeds can help you get them sorted. Our Wellbeing Coordinators are based within GP practices providing one-to-one support over the phone and face to face. Community outreach from GP surgeries and other community locations is undertaken as appropriate.
We know that finding care for a loved one isn’t easy. With so many options and choices, it can be hard to know where to turn. But our care begins with you.
By spending more time listening and understanding your circumstances than anyone else, we’re confident we can help you get through it.
Because we’re here to help your relative live a more independent life, at home, with everything from companionship to specialised, practical care created just for them.
Whatever your situation and wherever you are, our award-winning Care Professionals are here to help you find the elderly home care services that are right for you.
By listening to your concerns and challenges, our Care Professionals can tailor their home care services to your family’s needs - offering personalised elderly care plans that work so much better than one-size-fits-all solutions.
01937 220510
At Right at Home – Leeds East, Roundhay to Rothwell, our aim is to make a positive difference to the lives of those we care for. My team and I, are committed to improving the quality of life for our Clients and enabling them to live safely and happily in their own homes. That’s why we recruit and train CareGivers with a genuine passion for helping people in our local community. Our preferred visits are a minimum of one hour, so time can be given to provide quality care that isn’t rushed, with an ethos that is driven by positive outcomes rather than simply by need.
If you or any of your loved ones are looking for high-quality companionship, personal care, assistance with medication, meal preparation, specialist dementia care or any other complex medical conditions, please feel free to get in touch.
“At Right at Home, our chief aim is to empower older and vulnerable adults to live at home longer, maintain independence, be safer and happier - all while offering peace of mind to those closest to them.” -
Tahira Muzammal, Managing Director of Right at Home – Leeds East, Roundhay to Rothwell.
Areas We Cover: We provide quality care in, Chapel Allerton, Headingley, Moortown, Rothwell, Roundhay, Seacroft, Swillington and the surrounding areas.
0113 833 1950
Our goal is to create a supportive environment where people feel heard and supported, whether caring for parents and making difficult decisions or seeking to help employees.
Through dynamic training workshops, comprehensive 360 organisational reviews, and personalised coaching, we provide tailored solutions to help create the best workplace for supporting carers to excel and manage their responsibilities with confidence.
Our commitment is to be a trusted partner in making life’s transitions smoother and more manageable for everyone involved.
Sherry, an experienced leader, coach and trainer, supporting the Sandwich Generation through her personal caring journey.
With 21 years senior experience of leading national programmes and teams in the NHS, and 100s of hours coaching and training, mum of 3, Sherry channels her caring experience - sparked by her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis - into raising awareness about the impact of being a carer. She helps employers provide the best possible support to promote the best outcomes for all.
07842762839
Leeds Older People’s Forum is a registered charity that exists to promote the wellbeing of older people in the city of Leeds. We’re a network of third sector organisations working to ensure older people have the opportunities, freedom and support to live the life they want.
Together, we’ve been working with and for older people since 1994 to make Leeds the best city to grow old in. Our member organisations work closely with older people across a diverse range of areas, including health, social care, housing, transport and leisure.
We’re constantly exploring, evaluating and adjusting to the needs of older people. Thanks to our connections to the wider health and social care network in Leeds, we’re in a position to promote the wellbeing of older people in a way that’s shaped directly by their voices.
We place older people at the heart of everything we do, responding to their views and lived experiences. As an ‘Age Friendly’ and ‘Dementia Friendly’ city, we’re helping Leeds reach its goal of being ‘the best city to grow old in’.
0113 244 1697
