Support Services Attendance Criteria

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Why can you only access the majority of Dementia Jersey Services after receiving a diagnosis of dementia? 

If people have symptoms of dementia but haven’t received a diagnosis, they could have other health conditions causing their symptoms which need investigation by medical professionals. We understand how distressing it can be when experiencing symptoms linked to dementia for the first time, which is why we offer counselling and advice for people with dementia and their families. Once a diagnosis has been confirmed then we are then able to signpost to our therapeutic activities and support groups depending on the needs and interests of the person with dementia. 

Where do we get a diagnosis of dementia which will allow us to access Dementia Jersey services? 

Diagnoses can be made either by GPs, the Memory Assessment Service (MAS), Adult Mental Health services, by a Neurologist, or the Mental Health Liaison team at the hospital (or by another service in another country). People do not need to provide written evidence of the diagnosis. 

Why don’t you need a diagnosis of dementia to access carer’s support? 

As there are currently exceptionally long waiting times for a memory assessment and because we have capacity at the moment, we offer support (Dementia Advice, Carers Support or Counselling) for those waiting for their memory appointment or who are caring for someone with symptoms of dementia. 

My relative has been diagnosed with dementia; I live in Jersey but they live elsewhere. Can I still access Dementia Jersey support? 

Absolutely, you can access Dementia Advice, Carers Support or Counselling. If the person with dementia comes to visit then you can even access our therapeutic activities as a one-off – just contact the office to find out how. 

Why can’t a person with dementia attend carers’ support meetings? 

Carers usually need time to talk freely about their experiences alongside other carers. Having a person with dementia present could change the group dynamic and may prevent someone from talking as freely as they would like. Our Coffee and Connect meeting is available for people with dementia to attend with their carers as well as our full range of therapeutic activities. 

Can a professional carer attend carers’ support? 

Unfortunately not – our carers’ support meetings are for family carers only because of the unique shared challenges they face. If you are a professional carer needing support please contact the agency you work for. 

Can a carer attend the Meeting Place Project with the person with dementia they care for? 

We would rather carers do not attend. The Meeting Place Project is designed for people with a recent diagnosis or mild symptoms of dementia to attend on their own. The weekly sessions aim to build people’s confidence and stimulate their brains, as evidence shows this can help people maintain their independence and quality of life after a diagnosis of dementia. People who have been newly diagnosed may use the group to meet others who are in a similar situation and may want to speak openly about issues concerning their, health family life and future, and the presence of carers or family members may restrict this. We understand that support may be needed during the early stages of diagnosis, so supporters can join a few sessions to help the person with dementia build confidence, with a view to the person attending by themselves after this settling-in period. The need for frequent carer support would likely indicate that the Meeting Place Project is not the most suitable activity for the person with dementia. In this instance Dementia Jersey’s other weekly activities could be more appropriate for them to attend with their carer. 

Why can’t a person with dementia attend therapeutic activities independently? 

Every person with dementia is likely to have different needs at different times. Whilst someone may be fine to attend on their own one week they may need support the following week. Dementia Jersey is not a care provider and is therefore unable to provide respite or personal care. If you are looking for respite care then please contact the office and we will signpost you to suitable organisations. 

Please don’t forget that often carers benefit just as much from our weekly activities as those living with dementia. 

I attend the Meeting Place Project on my own so why can’t I attend therapeutic activities independently? 

Therapeutic activities are different to the Meeting Place Project (MPP) in that they are run (sometimes exclusively) by volunteers. There are often more people attending weekly activities than the MPP and in order to keep all of those who attend safe, people living with dementia need to be accompanied by a carer/supporter. Often carers benefit just as much from our weekly activities as those living with dementia. 

Can a carer attend our weekly activities without a person with dementia? 

Our weekly activities are funded for those living with dementia. Attending without a person with dementia could mean you are taking up a space preventing someone with dementia benefiting from our activity. However, we know how much support carer’s get from attending our activities which is why, (providing there is space), you are welcome to attend our weekly activities for up to 6 months after the person with dementia you have been caring for has died or moved to a care home and are no longer able to attend activities with you (12 months for Carers’ Support meetings after the person has died). 

Can a care home bring along a group of people with dementia to any of the therapeutic activities? 

Our weekly activities are primarily for those people with dementia being cared for within their home and not in a care home setting. However, a family carer or supporter can bring along a person with dementia living in a care home and attend our weekly activities, but we do not have enough space on our activities for care home staff to bring along groups of people. 

Can a professional carer working for a domiciliary care agency attend therapeutic activities? 

A professional carer working for a domiciliary care agency can attend activities when accompanying a person with dementia. Unfortunately, our activities are not available for people living in care homes and attending with care home staff. 

I’m no longer a full-time carer as the person with dementia I used to care for has moved into a care home or has died. What services can I access? 

When you are no longer the primary caregiver, because the person with dementia now lives in a care home, you are welcome to attend our weekly activities for up to 6 months after the person is no longer able to attend activities with you. You may continue to attend our Carer Support meetings and access our Dementia Advice and Counselling services. 

When you are no longer the primary caregiver, because the person with dementia has died, you are welcome to attend our weekly activities for up to 6 months. You may also continue to attend our Carer Support meetings and access our Dementia Advice and Counselling services for up to 12 months. 

In addition, the following Dementia Jersey service is available: 

Club Uno is a social group for people who are no longer full-time carers, either because the person they previously cared for now lives in a care home, or because they have died. This meets monthly with no time restrictions on attendance.