Memory Assessment Service

If you have been referred to the Memory Assessment Service (MAS) and have received a diagnosis of dementia, support from this group may be open to you. Please feel free to discuss any concerns or apprehensions you may have about joining the group by contacting the Assistant Psychologist or Occupational Therapist. 

Memory Assessment Service: 03000 272 344

A friend, or family member, is invited to attend the first and last Living Well with Dementia session with you. Where possible, Northamptonshire Carers or the Alzheimer's Society run a series of sessions alongside the Living Well with Dementia group. These are an informal place for carers to meet others in similar situations.

Topics include:

• Future planning
• Understanding changes in behaviour
• Contingency planning
• Looking after yourself

The aim of the group is to help people to talk about their dementia experiences, including any difficulties and how they impact upon everyday life. Being able to socialise and share experiences is an important aspect of the group.

We realise that it is often a difficult and emotional topic to discuss, so the group provides a relaxed and sensitive environment where everyone is supported.

We use a recovery focused approach which encourages people to adapt to the changes in their lives by learning new strategies and maintaining hope for the future.

Each group has between 8 to 10 members. The group takes place on the same day each week. Sessions last for 1.5 hours with refreshments available. Group members will be provided handouts from the session to discuss with partners and family. The overall aims of the group are: 

Work together with families to help people to adjust to their diagnosis
Encourage people to feel empowered to make decisions about the present and future
Increase self-esteem and to develop a sense of meaning and purpose
Work with friends and families to find a way to manage problems and develop coping strategies
If you are interested in attending the group, please call the Memory Assessment Service (MAS) and an Occupational Therapist or Assistant Psychologist will contact you to arrange a pre-group meeting. The meeting involves a relaxed and informal chat, where you can ask any questions you might have about the group and address any concerns.  

Memory Assessment Service: 03000 272 344

A cognitive assessment will help highlight the strengths and weaknesses in your ability. You may or may not have weaknesses in the following areas:

• Memory - for example, forgetting recent events or repeating the same question
• Reasoning, planning or problem-solving - for example, struggling with thinking things through
• Attention - for example, being very easily distracted
• Language - for example, taking much longer than usual to find the right word for something
• Visual depth perception - for example, struggling to interpret an object in three dimensions, judging distances or navigating stairs

Having symptoms of MCI may affect how you feel. For example, you may experience:

• Low mood or depression - your GP or Northamptonshire NHS Talking Therapies can offer assessment, advice or treatment. There are effective treatments for depression. Depression can affect your behaviours, so it is important to get this addressed. 
• Feeling irritable or anxious - if you are feeling like this talk with people who you trust and consider speaking with your GP.
• You may also feel a loss of enthusiasm or enjoyment in the things that you do. You may feel anger, frustration or worry. It is usually good to talk to those you trust and with others in your situation. There are ways of getting in touch with others in your situation through local groups or the internet. Please click the the tab 'useful resources and links' on this page in the main menu for further information.

There are many different reasons why people start to get MCI. Often it can be difficult to find an underlying cause. Your doctor may or may not be able to find the underlying cause/s. If an underlying cause is found then the right treatment will be prescribed.

It is important to note that 40% of people who receive a diagnosis of MCI will return to a level of functioning that is normal for their age. So there is hope for improvement in your functioning.

Having a diagnosis of MCI means that you have a higher risk of getting dementia in the future. 

Only around 1 in 10 people with MCI will develop dementia.
Only around a third of people with MCI will progress to dementia in the 10 years following diagnosis.

Due to the higher risk of developing dementia, it is important that you take actions to reduce this risk.

There are currently no drugs that have been approved for treating MCI. Alzheimer's drugs have shown no clear advantage to MCI patients.

MCI is more likely to progress to dementia if the person has a poorly controlled heart condition or diabetes, or a higher risk of strokes. Therefore, treatment for MCI may include medicine for a heart condition, to reduce high blood pressure, prevent clots or lower cholesterol. 

Exercise, a healthy diet, reducing how much alcohol you drink and stopping smoking may be prescribed.

Social prescription of keeping physically, mentally and socially active may also be given.

If depression is diagnosed this should be treated with medication, Talking Therapies or both.

You may feel that your memory, attention, concentration, problem solving abilities, language, or visual ability is getting worse. You may notice a change in your ability to do everyday tasks such as cooking, shopping, household chores - doing the things that you normally do.

If this is the case it is helpful to check with family or friends to get their view.

If you feel that your functioning is getting worse then speak to your GP who may refer you back to the Memory Assessment Clinic for assessment.

MCI will not normally prevent you from driving. If your driving is not affected then you do not have to inform the DVLA. 

However, MCI symptoms may affect driving. The assessment that has been undertaken may identify issues related to driving ability. You will be advised if you should notify the DVLA.

You will not automatically be prevented from driving. Driving ability assessments may be carried out. 

To notify the DVLA complete the form on the back of your driving licence or write a letter to the DVLA to explain, giving your driving licence number, name and address to Drivers Medical Group, DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1TU.

If you are advised to inform the DVLA and you do not do this then you can be fined up to £1000.