Videos: Dementia diagnosis and support
Need to know more about dementia and what support is on offer?
Check out these two videos made in conjunction with the Slough Memory Clinic:
- Dementia - diagnosis and support - a video aimed at those who have not yet received a diagnosis
- Dementia - support services - a video aimed at those who have a diagnosis and want to know more about support services and what they're like.
Dementia - diagnosis and support - video
You can go to the YouTube site to access the "Dementia - diagnosis and support" video with an interactive transcript - select the 3 horizontal dots icon and choose "Open transcript". Please note the video may autoplay.
Transcript
Living well with dementia
[Margaret:] My name's Margaret, and this is my husband, Charlie. Alright. And we've been married for 33 years. We met at a singles club and we went out for 2 years before we got married. Okay.
First signs and symptoms
[Charlie:] After the first dive at sea. I couldn't just, couldn't remember anything. And they told me what I was getting up to. And I decided then that I could be more careful. And that went on for oh 5 years, 6 years, then I just stopped. They said I shouldn't do what I was doing. I thought it's safe, but they [said] "You mustn't do it. You mustn't do that."
[Margaret:] I was 75 and my 75th birthday was coming up and I thought maybe we could go out for a meal. And Charlie wasn't in the least bit bothered. And I was really surprised 'cause Charlie would always take me out, always get me flowers, always say, "Come on, we'll go out shopping." And I never got this. So I thought, "Oh, okay, fine." So I just let it go.
Over the years there were silly things. Didn't want to go on holiday, didn't want to go out shopping, didn't, definitely didn't want to go out for a meal. And yet every Saturday without fail that would be our treat that we would go out and have a meal somewhere just me and him. Sometimes with the family or the girls. But no, that seemed to slow down.
Couple of times after that we were sitting here, not sure what he wanted to eat. I've always cooked.I always sort of do something. And I just said to himvthis particular night, "Is there anything you fancy to eat?"
[and Charlie said] "I don't know what I..."
And his voice, all of a sudden, hit me. Was like, "Wow, this isn't...this isn't Charlie." So, went to the doctors and said, "I'm not sure what's happening with my husband."
Discuss your concerns with your GP
[Dr Deol:] Hello, my name's Dr. Deol, one of the local GP registrars. Typically, people come and see myself, my colleagues if they have concerns about their memories. Also, we see loved ones bringing in their...we see people bringing in their loved ones who they've got concerns about with their memories.
From what we do is we have a chat with yourself or your loved one and talk about what's the issues that have been going on and try to identify what might be causing some of these memory issues.
We can do a couple of things from here. We might decide to do some further bloods and some further investigations to see if there's something that could be underlying like a vitamin deficiency or an infection that could be causing these problems.
Or we might say actually what we need is a bit more of a specialist assessment. And that's when we'll refer you to the memory clinic.
[Voiceover:] Concerns about memory may include:
- difficulty with simple tasks
- getting lost in a familiar place
- finding objects in unusual places
- changes in planning or judgment
- forgetfulness that affects daily living.
[Margaret:] So he did a few questions, Charlie didn't answer them all. Got a letter to say we got to go to the memory clinic.
Assessment with the memory clinic.
Your first appointment will be with a memory clinic nurse and can be at home or at the clinic. Slough's memory clinic is based at Upton Hospital. The appointment may last up to 90 minutes.
Ideally, it would help if you bring someone who knows you well. You may want to share important information before the appointment. You are welcome to get in touch.
During your appointment, you will be asked about:
- your worries about your memory
- your health and medication
- how you cope with everyday life, driving
- anything else that may be troubling you.
You will also be asked to complete some short memory tests.
The next step
You will be offered a diagnostic appointment with a consultant who may suggest some further investigations. These could include :
- a CT or MRI brain scan
- some more detailed memory tests
- a speech and language therapy assessment
- a neuro-psychological assessment
- an occupational therapy assessment.
[Rita:] How do you find the appointment today darling? What do you think of it?
[Carmine:] Amazing. Really, really good. Yeah. Because of like, the care and the nurse. It's been very very good.
What's next?
If a diagnosis of dementia is made, memory clinic staff will be able to:
- provide you with information and support and
- will agree upon a treatment plan with you and your family and carers.
There may be medicines and psychological therapies that can help you.
Dementia support services in Slough
If you've been diagnosed with dementia in Slough there are a variety of support services available to help you and your loved ones. These services are designed to promote:
- well-being
- independence and
- a better quality of life.
One of the main resources is the Living Well programme offered by the memory clinic. This programme offers a range of activities and courses for people living with dementia and their carers. Some of the activities include:
- exercise classes
- coffee mornings
- lunch club
- access to the well-being garden - a peaceful outdoor space at Upton Hospital.
These services offer a welcoming environment where people can connect, share experiences, and learn how to manage the challenges of dementia. The goal is to help everyone involved live a meaningful, enjoyable, and fulfilling life.
[Person 1:] Yeah. I like to meet people that I wouldn't normally meet.
[Person 2:] That's right.
[Person 3:] It's to get out... get out of the house. So, you're not sitting around not doing anything, getting out and being sociable. But it's nice to have something close to home where you can go occasionally, you know, on a regular basis that brings to life other other communities.
[Voiceover:] If you have any concerns about your memory or the memory of a loved one, contact your GP for information and advice.
Dementia - support services
You can go to the YouTube site to access the "Dementia - support services" video with an interactive transcript - select the 3 horizontal dots icon and choose "Open transcript". Please note the video may autoplay.
Transcript
Living well with dementia
Living with dementia can be a struggle and feel very isolating.
[Margaret:] Yeah, so it was very hard knowing that he's got it. And then because he's had to give up driving, it was like his world had actually collapsed, didn't it?
[Charlie:] Yes.
[Margaret:] And you miss it.
[Charlie:] Sorry?
[Margaret:] You miss it?
[Charlie:] I miss it? Oh yeah.
[About the Living Well programme]
[Voiceover:] It can really help to meet others who are going through the same experience. The Living Well programme includes activities such as:
- coffee mornings
[Person 1:] Yeah, I like to meet people.
[Person 2:] That's right.
[Person 1:] I wouldn't normally meet.
[Person 2:] That's right.
[Person 3:] Essentially it's to get out...get out of the house, so, you know, not sitting around not doing anything, getting out being social, brings to life other communities, other things.
[Voice over:] Lunch club
[Margaret:] Oh me, I love it. I can go out. I can go out on a Tuesday and have lunch and nobody... I haven't got to cook, wash up, put away. That's my thing. But Charlie, I say "I'm going for lunch with the girls.I'm going to the Memory Clinic. I'm going to have a nice lunch. I'm going to have a carvery."
Fine, next minute he's upstairs, washed, dressed and changed. "What time we going?" Alright, fine. He goes there.He's quite happy to sit with strangers. He's quite happy to talk to strangers. He comes away and he goes "Coo, that dinner was nice wasn't it?" And I go "Yeah can we go next week?" [And Charlie says,] "Yeah if you want."
[Voiceover:]
- exercise classes
- access to the well-being garden - a peaceful outdoor space at Upton Hospital.
Continuing support and involvement for carers.
Many former carers of people with dementia choose to stay involved. Their lived experience gives them unique insight. And even after their own caregiving journey ends they often continue to support others by sharing their knowledge and offering guidance. They help carers find the support and reassurance they need.
[Person 1:] I wasn't abandoned when my husband died. And I was invited to come back. and I found other carers there that I knew were also not abandoned. And so we made a little group. And now we support each other and new people when they come along who don't know lots of things. Because we've been there and got tips to share with people. And I think it's nice just to have people who understand the sort of stuff you might be going through and can maybe just offer a shoulder if necessary or have a laugh, which helps. And we're a happy band of people now.
[Person 2:] Very glad to meet up everyone. I lost my wife 18 months ago. And I kept come down here. Memory centre have always helped me. And then we started with a garden, which is very helpful. I'm very grateful for the help I get and the friends I've just made over the last couple of years.
[Person 3:] I thought personally, I found it helpful coming to the forum. There was always support there. And when my husband died, then it didn't just end. I was able to come and share grief or the way that we benefited from it. Because my carers, my husband's careers didn't abandon me, and they keep in touch, take me out to lunch. And it's lovely to have just a normal group of people, living in this area. And I found that, well, I still do, I intend to come, you know, to help others.
[Person 4:] I appreciate, you know, to know these people over there. I know that quite few year ago, because my wife, she was very sick, she been very, very sick for seven years. She passed away year and seven months. And I was lucky to meet Hannah and Rumana. And they been so helpful to me. They did help me in many, many ways. And I'm living on my own. And you know, that is mean lot for me to come in here to meet, you know, as much as people. And I never forget these people, when they talk to me and I...
[Person 1:] We care about you too.
[Person 4:] Thank you very much
[Next steps]
If you do not have a diagnosis and have any concerns about your memory or the memory of a loved one, contact your GP for information and advice.
If you already have a diagnosis of dementia and are interested in the Living Well programme of activities, contact the memory clinic for more information.