Trinity’s Community Dementia Service
Information for patients, families and friends
Supporting people with dementia At Trinity our aim is to ensure that people living with dementia have the same access to specialist palliative and end of life care as people living with other progressive, life-limiting illnesses. People with dementia often have a number of complex needs. These may include memory loss, language difficulties, disorientation, changes in personality and mood and problems with everyday tasks and activities. Our Community Dementia Service provides dedicated support and advice to help people with dementia – and their friends and families – to make decisions about their future care.
What services do we provide? The Community Dementia Service can help with:
Advance care planning to help people make decisions and record their wishes for care in the future
Identifying support needs and making appropriate referrals to ensure that the right support is in place
Support for friends and families who care for someone with dementia
Managing palliative care symptoms e.g pain
Advice and training for professionals who care for people in the later stages of dementia
Liaising with other services and, where we may not be the most appropriate service for your needs, recommending a service that is.
Who can use the service? The Community Dementia Service is available for people with dementia who live in their own home or in a care home. You are eligible as long as you live in the Trinity catchment area, and are registered with a local GP.
Will you share information with my family? We will only share information about you with your family, friends or carers if you give consent, if they hold Power of Attorney, or if best interest decisions have been made.
Do you provide other dementia services? We provide a range of services for people with dementia and their friends and families. If you live in the area that Trinity serves and would like information about the other services we provide, including practical and emotional support at home or at the hospice, dementia support groups or inpatient care at the hospice, then please do contact us.
When to refer We welcome referrals whenever someone needs our services. This could be following an initial diagnosis of dementia for support with advance care planning. It might also be if you or your carer are struggling to cope with changes in symptoms or general physical ability. We believe the earlier a referral, the better. That way we can get to know you and your specific needs and you can benefit from the full range of services on offer as soon as possible.
Who can refer? Most people are referred to Trinity by a healthcare professional such as a Hospital Consultant, Specialist Nurse, GP or District Nurse. Alternatively, if you have dementia you (or someone close to you) can self-refer. Please be aware that we will contact your GP to help us make a full assessment.
How to refer? To be referred, please speak to a healthcare professional. To self-refer, please contact our Referrals and Admissions Team directly who will ask for some basic information and can answer any questions you may have. Tel: 020 7787 1062 Email: rth.referrals@nhs.net
What happens next? After you have been referred to Trinity’s Community Dementia Team, you will receive a call from one of our admissions and referrals nurses. They will arrange for one of our of our Dementia Specialist Nurses to make contact via telephone or face to face and make a full assessment of your needs, and those of your family and friends if appropriate.
How to contact Trinity Royal Trinity Hospice 30 Clapham Common North Side London SW4 0RN Call 020 7787 1000 Email enquiries@royaltrinityhospice.london
www.royaltrinityhospice.london @trinityhospice RoyalTrinityHospice @royaltrinityhospice
If you would like this information in a different format, such as large print, please speak to the Communications team on 020 7787 1000 or email media@royaltrinityhospice.london Royal Trinity Hospice will always store your personal details securely. For full details see our privacy policy: www.royaltrinityhospice.london/privacy Charity no. 1013945 Date of publication March 2021