Manchester's Young Onset Dementia Service was one
of the first of its type in the country when it was established in
1996. It is open to Manchester residents who have been diagnosed
with dementia before the age of 65.
The service offers post-diagnostic counselling and support for
the person with the illness as well as to carers, offering
individual and group work according to need and preference.
The service works closely with other Trust services concerned
with dementia such as the Memory Clinics and Admiral Nursing
Service and has won awards for its work with carers and for
improving the quality of care for service users
The underpinning ethos of the service is to ensure that the
younger person diagnosed with dementia has the best possible
quality of life.
Dementia is more common in older people, and the likelihood of
diagnosis increases with age. However, it does also affect younger
people and they are likely to face different problems and
challenges to an older person who has been diagnosed with the
condition.
The Young Onset Dementia Service offers support that is specific
to the younger age group, offering outreach services as well as the
opportunity to attend a day club where service users can meet other
people in similar situations. This can help to break down the sense
of isolation which many feel.
The post-diagnostic support and counselling offered includes
education about the illness as well as help in preparing for the
future. There is a strong practical focus covering areas such as
benefits advice, carer stress and adapting to changing life
situations.
The day club offers various opportunities to socialise with
other people experiencing similar challenges, including Tai Chi and
craft and gardening sessions to help people relax. Current affairs
and discussion groups are also offered to help people keep mentally
active, while exercise groups support people in maintaining their
physical wellbeing. Where necessary, sessions are broken up into
same sex groups in order to maintain privacy and dignity.
The criteria for using the service are that the person must:
- be a Manchester
resident,
- have a definite diagnosis
of any type of dementia, and
- be under 65 years old at
the time of onset and referral.
Help with transport can be arranged.
The Young Onset Dementia Service provides practical, emotional
and physical support to younger people in Manchester diagnosed with
dementia and their carers. It aims to provide a person-centred
service to enable service users to come to terms with and enjoy the
best possible quality of life after diagnosis.
Contact details
Telephone: 0161 701 2709
Fax: 0161 701 2710
Address:
Young Onset Dementia Service
Cedars Ward
Edale House
Central Manchester Hospitals site
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Opening hours:
The service operates during office hours from Monday to Friday
excluding bank holidays.
An answer phone is in operation when the office is closed.