Dementia
Dementia describes a collection of symptoms, including a decline in memory, reasoning and communication skills, mood swings and a gradual loss of skills needed to carry out daily activities.
It can affect people of any age, though is most common in older people. The symptoms are caused by structural and chemical changes in the brain as a result of physical diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Addressing Dementia in the City
In August 2015, the City of London were awarded Dementia Friendly Community Status by the Alzheimer's Society.
In the same year, the City and Hackney Dementia Alliance was formed to bring together health, social care and voluntary sector organisations to work within a framework of formal partnership. The aim, to achieve greater collaboration and integration. As of 2020, the City of London remains fully committed to the alliance and it’s aims to improve the lives of people living with dementia and their carers.
April 2019 saw the start of a new approach to supporting City residents, including those with dementia and their carers, to achieve the outcomes they want. The City Connections service focuses on supporting people to improve their health and wellbeing, be involved in their community, feel safe, maintain independence, and achieve their potential.
October 2019 saw the launch of the City and Hackney Dementia service outlining how services were working differently to provide well-coordinated care for people living with dementia, their carers and families.
We designed our integrated City and Hackney Mental Health Strategy with dementia in mind to ensure that our residents and services have a keen understanding and awareness of the disease and that we offer support in a respectful and meaningful way. This builds on the longstanding tradition within the City of caring for residents and delivering individualised packages of care and support.
Following the Prime Minister's challenge on dementia, we provide a responsive, high quality, personalised dementia service meeting the needs of residents of the City of London.
If you are living with dementia or are caring for someone who has dementia and are in need of further support please contact the Adult Social Care Team.
Our resources for people living with dementia, carers/family, and professionals
Top Tips for Call Handlers/Befrienders/Professionals
- Dementia Talking Point -online community
- The Angela Project for Young Onset Dementia
- The 2019 National Memory Service Audit
City Connections
City Connections, delivered by AgeUK on behalf of the City of London Corporation, link you with the health and wellbeing services in the Square Mile that you need.
Their Digital Buddy Scheme match you to a trained and vetted volunteer, who will be able to assist you with using your digital device, getting online and also learning further with technology today via weekly telephone/Zoom calls. (Limited Tablet devices and data SIM cards will be made available FREE to loan for a set period; subject to a signed Loan Agreement). If you would like to be matched to a Digital Buddy or become a volunteer Digital Buddy, please call City Connections on 0203 957 9844 or email City Connections.
Their Telephone Befriending Service match you with a trained and vetted volunteer, who can telephone you once a week for friendly and social conversation, that can help with isolation and loneliness. If you would like to be matched to a Telephone Befriender or become a volunteer Befriender, please call City Connections on 0203 957 9844 or email City Connections.