Supporting people with dementia

There are approximately 14,830 people in West Sussex estimated to be living with dementia and this figure is forecast to rise to approximately 21,750 by 2040 in line with the ageing population.   We continue to work closely with the NHS and other partners to provide a coordinated approach to supporting people with dementia and their family and friend carers.

Early diagnosis of dementia gives people and their families the opportunity to plan for the future. The Dementia Assessment Service, provided jointly by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and the Alzheimer’s Society, offers diagnosis and post-diagnostic support for people and their family and friend carers.

The Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Dementia and Older Person’s Mental Health Service supports people with complex dementia, including people living in care homes. This service provides support to both individuals and family and friend carers.

The Alzheimer’s Society’s dementia advisors work across the county and provide early support following diagnosis which can prevent people from reaching crisis point and enables them to plan for the future.  The individual and their family and friend carers are offered either light-touch support or more intensive one-to-one community-based intervention and support, depending on how they are feeling. For some, too much information at diagnosis may not be helpful so the Alzheimer’s Society extend their offer to a Keeping in Touch service to ensure that people are proactively supported throughout their dementia journey.

The Alzheimer’s Society also provide phone-based support, companionship calls and Focus on Dementia Network Groups that ensure people affected by dementia have their voices heard both locally and nationally.  They also run an online Peer Support Group for South Asian communities that serves our South Asian community in a tailored and culturally sensitive way. 16 carers from the community regularly connect with the group and share advice and information.

Carer Information and Support Programme (CrISP)

Having regular breaks from caring is essential for carers’ health and wellbeing. CrISP, delivered by the Alzheimer’s Society through a series of sessions/courses, provides support and information in a group environment where carers share experiences and find out about local and national services offering support. 

Local dementia-friendly communities

A dementia-friendly community is a city, town or village where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported so that they can continue to live in the way they want and in their community. They are often led by a group of volunteers who work together to make their local community a welcoming place for people with dementia. In West Sussex, there are 10 dementia-friendly communities with a membership of over 300 businesses and organisations.