Supporting Dementia Action Week 2025

Currently, only around 65.7% of people aged 65 and over in England who are estimated to have dementia have a recorded diagnosis, according to NHS Digital. This leaves a significant number undiagnosed and therefore unable to access the care, treatment and support they may need. A timely diagnosis is key to helping individuals and their families plan ahead and receive the right help at the right time.

At our hospitals, our Dementia Team continues to work hard to embed good practice across our hospitals. This includes a number of initiatives designed to improve the care and experience of patients living with dementia and those who support them:

• ‘This is Me’: A document developed by the Alzheimer’s Society that patients or carers can complete to help staff understand the individual's personal needs, history and preferences.
  
• John’s Campaign: We are proud to support this campaign, which enables carers to stay overnight with their loved ones while they are in hospital. Please speak to a senior nurse on the ward for more details.
  
• Admiral Nurse Service: Led by Asma Pandor, this service provides expert dementia support for families and can be accessed via self-referral by patients or carers. Please speak to your ward staff for details.
  
• Carer’s Passport: This provides benefits such as enhanced visiting arrangements and access to food and drink while supporting someone in hospital.
  
• Gloucestershire Carers Hub: We work closely with this organisation to ensure carers have access to additional support and resources. More information can be found at gloucestershirecarershub.co.uk.
  

Support for patients in our hospitals also includes dedicated Activity Coordinators, who run engaging creative sessions, as well as recently appointed Enhanced Care Workers, who help meet the needs of patients requiring additional support. Our teams are also continuing to develop more dementia-friendly environments to create spaces that are calm, comfortable and reassuring for patients.

We are exploring other initiatives including music sessions, while we also have calming rooms in our Emergency Departments that provide a gentler environment to support patients with Dementia as well as people with mental health challenges.

Community events this week

As part of Dementia Action Week, NHS Gloucestershire is hosting a range of events across the county to provide information and support for those who may be concerned about their memory or are caring for someone with dementia. These events offer a chance to find out more about getting a diagnosis and the local services available. Details below:

• Tues, May 20, Cirencester Livestock Market 9am - 2pm
• Weds, May 21, Tewkesbury Market 9am - 3pm
• Thurs, May 22, Gloucester Academy of Music 10am - 2pm
• Thurs, May 22, Orchard Trust, Lydbrook 10am - 6pm
• Fri, May 23, Gloucester Farmers Market 9am - 3pm
• Sat, May 24, Stroud Library 2pm - 3.30Pm
• Sun, May 25, Suffolks Market, Cheltenham 11am - 4pm

For more information about dementia, including a useful symptom checker, visit the Alzheimer’s Society website: alzheimers.org.uk.