Memory Assessment Service

What is the Living Well with Dementia Group?

Living Well with Dementia is a group programme that has been developed to help improve the quality of life of people who have a diagnosis of dementia.

The group meets once a week, over the course of 10 weeks.  It provides an opportunity for people to meet others who are coming to terms with a diagnosis of dementia, as well as somewhere to learn strategies and tips for coping. The group is run jointly by Occupational Therapists and Assistant Psychologists from the Memory Assessment Service (MAS). 

Who is the group for?

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

What support is available for carers?

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

What can I expect from the group?

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

Next Steps workshops

Receiving a dementia diagnosis is often a difficult event, and it can take time for individuals and their families to come to terms with it. It is common to have trouble taking in and understanding all the information given at the point of diagnosis and people often say they need more time to absorb and process, before they can learn more. Likewise, as a dementia journey progresses the information needs of those diagnosed, as well as their families, can change.

Next Steps is a one-off education and information workshop.

The workshop is for those who have been newly diagnosed with dementia, and their families, and provides an opportunity to learn more about coping with the implications of their diagnosis and what support is available to them.
Getting accurate information and support can help explain what to expect and what may happen next, as well as empower those involved to make their own decisions.
These friendly and responsive sessions are tailored to meet your needs. They are flexible, allowing us to address the everyday practical queries and questions you may wish to ask. We aim to find problem-solving techniques and solutions to suit you and your family.

The workshop provides:

• An opportunity to meet with staff from the NHS, and other locally available services, to learn information about dementia and the support available
• Advice and practical guidance on approaching difficult issues
• An opportunity to meet others with dementia and families in a similar situation
• Time to ask any questions you may have about dementia
• More understanding of the process of assessments and the decision making used to diagnose dementia
• An opportunity to share your experiences
• An individualised information resource pack to take home

The free session lasts around 2 hours, with tea and coffee provided. It is led by professionals in the Memory Assessment Service, including Community Psychiatric Nurses, Occupational Therapists, and Assistant Psychologists

The Memory Assessment Service regularly runs Next Steps Workshops. Some time after you or a family member receives a diagnosis of dementia, we will contact you and invite you to attend the workshop.

If you do not wish to be contacted about this workshop in the future, or if you have any further questions, or would like to join a group, please speak with the member of staff you are working with or get in touch.