Worried about your memory?
Do you…
- find it hard to follow conversations or programmes on TV?
- forget the names of friends or everyday objects?
- notice that you repeat yourself or lose the thread of what you are saying?
- feel confused even when in a familiar environment?
- struggle to remember arrangements or appointments you recently made?
- notice that family members start to comment on your forgetfulness?
Memory problems are common, however they can also be an early sign of a medical condition known as dementia. You should seek helpfrom your GP if you have persisting concerns that your memory is deteriorating and it impacts on your everyday abilities.
If you’re worried about someone else, you should encourage them to make an appointment and perhaps suggest that you go along too.
Diagnosed with dementia?
The Alzheimer’s Society has developed a factsheet called After Diagnosis’ with tips and advice.
Stockport Groups for people living with dementia, their families, carers and friends.
Please find a list of the community dementia friendly groups:
- Monday (weekly) – Smile session – Cheadle Health
- Wednesday (monthly) – Drop in – Offerton
- Thursday (weekly) – Drop in – Romiley
To contact please follow link which will provide you with different contact numbers for the different groups: http://dementiaroadmap.info/stockport/groups/#.Whf2RE9LGM8
Please contact the provider for further information (i.e. to check availability/cost). Please do not just turn up as some groups are full.
Local Services
The following local services are able to help you and anyone involved, with questions you may have:
- Local Alzheimer’s Society Office (for people diagnosed with any type of dementia and their carers) – 0161 483 4446
- Signpost Stockport for Carers – 0161 442 0442
- FLAG – for local Advice and Guidance in Stockport – 0161 474 1042
- Stockport Dementia Care Training (for family and friends) – 0161 716 4531
- Age UK Stockport – 0161 480 121
- My Care My Choice website – mycaremychoice.org.uk
Or visit the Alzheimer’s Society online (all types of dementia) for information and advice: www.alzheimers.org.uk
Worried about your memory booklet
Get your staying connected Kit
Please don’t hesitate to ask for information or emotional, social, practical and financial support.
There is evidence that accessing help and support will assist both people with dementia and their family to manage better now and in the future.
Services are there for you to help you live well with dementia.
St Ann’s Hospice – Dementia Friendly Cafe
First Tuesday of every month 1pm – 3pm at The Being You Centre at St Ann’s Hospice in Heald Green
For more information call 0161 498 3612
Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Helpline 0300 222 1122
The word dementia describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or a series of strokes. Dementia is progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse.
Dementia is an umbrella term. It describes the symptoms that occur when the brain is affected by certain diseases or conditions. There are many different types of dementia although some are far more common than others.
Alzheimer’s Information and Support:
Stockport + District Local Service Office: Tel 0161 477 6999 / 85 Buxton Rd, Stockport, SK2 6LR
Manchester Local Service Office: Tel 0161 342 0797 / Enterprise House, Lloyd Street North, Manchester Science Park, Manchester, M15 6SE
Alzheimer’s Society Stockport Dementia Support Service
Angela Payne and Debbie Edwards work for the Alzheimer’s Society as Dementia Support Workers covering the Stockport area.
The service is unique to your personal circumstances and their aim is to provide you with information, guidance and practical support to help you understand more about dementia and enable you to ‘live well with dementia’.
They offer one-to-one support to people with dementia; to carers and to family members. They cannot support people under the age of 18 but can signpost on to other sources of help and support.
The service can be provided face to face, or over the telephone and via email or written communication. They can arrange to visit you at home or meet up with you at a convenient location and time.
The Dementia Support Service does not replace social workers, solicitors, financial experts or other specialist and medical professionals and it cannot provide you with personal care, regular visits and companionship, counselling or transport.
If you would like to know more about the service, contact them:
- by phone: 0161 477 6999 (Monday to Friday 9am – 4:30pm)
- by email: stockport@alzheimers.org.uk
- by writing: Alzheimer’s Society, Lansdowne House, 85 Buxton Road, Stockport, SK2 6LR
You can also visit them at their office, but they advise you to ring first as the team are often out on visits.
Caring for a person with dementia
When a person with dementia finds that their mental abilities are declining, they often feel vulnerable and in need of reassurance and support. The people closest to them – including their carers, friends and family – need to do everything they can to help the person to retain their sense of identity and feelings of self-worth.
In the Stockport area, there are many groups run with the support of The Alzheimer’s Society. These are not just meetings, but a place with access to support and information, as well as activity groups that bring people together in a friendly, fun and social environment.
The groups are also a chance to relax and socialise.