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What do we do
Our Carer Engagement Team will:
- Hold regular virtual and face to face meetings or events such as information sessions for people caring for someone close to them with dementia or young onset dementia to share information and concerns and to agree responses to proposals for changes to health and social services.
- Provide you with the training and support you may need to help you represent your views and those of other carers to the health and social care authorities who commission services in Hertfordshire.
- Give you the opportunity to meet and talk to other carers who have had similar experiences to your own.
- Keep you updated about issues related to services for people with dementia, young onset dementia, and their carers in Hertfordshire regular ebulletins, newsletters or updates (mainly sent via email).
How you can be involved
Come along to one of our Dementia or Young Onset Dementia Carers meetings or events. We hold these virtually and in different venues across Hertfordshire. They are friendly, relaxed meetings where you can have your say about the services that you receive or may receive in the future.
For those carers who are unable to attend meetings, you can tell us about your experiences of services by email, telephone conversations, responding to surveys or attending one-off workshops.
If you have something to share or would like to get involved, please get in touch.
Carers voices are represented at various meetings including Hertfordshire Dementia Co-production Board. To learn more about co-production in Hertfordshire visit Co-production in Hertfordshire.
Dementia Specialist Admiral Nurses
We host a team of experienced dementia nurses called Admiral Nurses in partnership with Dementia UK. When things get challenging or difficult, our nurses work alongside the family carers of people with all types of dementia giving them one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions.
The unique dementia expertise and experience an Admiral Nurse brings is a lifeline-it helps families to live more positively with dementia in the present, and to face the challenges of tomorrow with more confidence and less fear.
How can an Admiral Nurse help me?
- If communication gets hard, we’re on hand with skills and techniques to help you stay connected to the person you love.
- If the person you care for with dementia is showing signs of fear or distress, we’ll work with you to find the best ways of preventing or managing this.
- If your family is struggling to cope, we’ll be there to help you get your loved one the best possible additional care and support.
- If you have questions you can’t get answered we’ll take the time to really understand the problem and give you the expert support you need to tackle it.
How can I access support from an Admiral Nurse?
The main way is to contact HertsHelp on 0300 123 4044. Our Carer Support Advisors may also refer you to the team if they support you.
Hertswise
Hertswise is a partnership organisation that supports people in Hertfordshire living with dementia, young onset dementia, low level memory loss or mild cognitive impairment and their family or friends involved in their care. As part of the partnership, we, Carers in Hertfordshire, host a Carers Support Locality Worker who runs support groups for people caring for someone with dementia. These are delivered in community venues or online via Zoom. Currently we have groups that meet in Cheshunt, Stevenage and Ware, as well as two online groups (one daytime and one evening).
We also offer one to one emotional support over the phone for carers who need extra support or don’t wish to join the groups or are unable to. There is more information about Hertwise in the Other Organisations section below and to find out more about the dementia carers’ groups visit the webpage for Hertswise Dementia Carers’ Groups.
Other Organisations and Useful Links
Admiral Nurses
Admiral Nurses are specialist Dementia nurses who work with carers and their families that are at risk of crisis. We work with Dementia UK to host a team of Admiral Nurses. Call Carers in Hertfordshire on 01992 58 69 69 to find out more or be referred.
Admiral Nurses at the Garden House Hospice for running four training sessions, between May and July, to help carers feel more confident whilst caring for someone living with dementia. For more information see their flyer.
Age UK Hertfordshire
Age UK Hertfordshire offers various services to those with Dementia and their carers, including information and advice, nutritional and diabetic service, help in the home and keeping in touch. The Hertfordshire office is available by telephone on 01707 323 272 or visit their website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/hertfordshire/. The national number is 0300 345 3446.
Alzheimer’s Society
The Alzheimer’s Society in Hertfordshire provide face to face and telephone support for people at any stage of their Dementia and their carers. They offer emotional and practical support around the diagnosis, support you to plan for the future and live well with the diagnosis. Support in Hertfordshire is accessible by calling 01707 378365 or visiting their website: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/
Nationally they run the Dementia Connect Support Line which you can call on 0333 150 3456.
Dementia UK
Dementia UK is a national charity that aims to improve the quality of life for people with dementia. It offers advice and support to families who are living with Dementia. Support is mainly provided through Admiral Nurses, who are registered nurses and Dementia experts. They run a national helpline that is free to call on 0800 888 6678. The Helpline is open from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturday to Sunday.
Hertswise
Hertswise is a partnership organisation (Carers in Hertfordshire being one of them) that supports people living with Dementia, Young Onset Dementia, low level memory loss or mild cognitive impairment and their carers. It provides information and advice, activities and support via Dementia hubs, Young Onset groups, carers support groups and training, and 1:1 support. To contact Hertswise, call 0300 123 4044 or visit their website: https://hertswise.org.uk/
Details about the Hertswise’s support groups for dementia carers are available at this link. Alternatively, email Vicky Kelly on hertswisecs@carersinherts.org.uk or call us at Carers in Hertfordshire on 01992 58 69 69 and ask for Vicky.
HPFT Older People’s Mental Health Team
The Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Older People’s Mental Health Team is made up of people with specialist skills that can provide support through community teams, crisis functions, therapy functions and the Early Memory Diagnosis and Support Service (EMDASS). You can call their Single Point of Access (SPA) on 0300 777 0707 or visit their website: https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/
If you are worried about your memory or the memory of someone you know then please visit your GP and discuss the options and support available to you.
Rare Dementia support is available by visiting www.raredementiasupport.org/. They provide information, tailored support and contact with others affected by similar rare dementias which usually affect people who are younger and their carers.
