Working together for people living with dementia

We work with a range of organisations across County Durham to deliver advice, care and support to people affected by dementia and their families such as Age UK County Durham and Alzheimer's Society. We share the same goal, to make sure people get the right help, in the right way, at the right time. Together we are working to improve different stages of help and care available. For this reason we have jointly created the Dementia Action Plan.

As part of this Plan we want to find and support people with dementia (and their families). We know that future services need to be shaped by the people they are helping. That’s why we are starting a series of discussions with people across the county. Our aim is to build services that meet individual needs—whether that’s how care is given, where it happens, or who provides it. We also want to make the best use of the skills and people we already have working in County Durham, so that care is joined-up and high quality.

You can read about dementia services and support in County Durham at Support for Dementia.

What are we talking about?

Going forward, will be undertaking a series of conversations. Each will be based around one of the five objectives that form the Dementia Action Plan:

one of the five objectives that form the Dementia Action Plan:

1. Preventing well - reducing the risk of developing dementia.
2. Diagnosing well - people are identified as having dementia as early as possible.
3. Supporting well –services are safe and high quality.
4. Living well - people with dementia have positive and safe lives.
5. Dying well - people with dementia can die with dignity.

You can read more bout the action plan and the five objectives at Dementia Action Plan.

How are we listening?

We’ll be talking to people in lots of different ways.

Targeted conversations

We are reaching out to people who use dementia services, joining existing groups and forums, mainly those run by community organisation. We will be having direct discussions with family members and unpaid carers - both online and in person and running workshops or focus groups when needed.

As part of these conversations, we will talk about 'brain health'. When we say this we are meaning: The overall working and wellbeing of the brain. Our abilities to organise our thoughts, our emotions and ability to cope with stress and challenges of everyday life. Maintaining brain health is essential for overall well-being.

Working with partners

We are working with our partners such as Healthwatch, to help us reach people. We will use our engagement networks in County Durham to reach patient groups.

Wider engagement and involvement

We are reaching out more broadly and gather feedback from wider audiences, for example by gathering feedback through Let's Talk County Durham.

If you would like to get more involved more broadly in Adult Social Care, join our service user forum at Help share our adult social care.