Carers of Barking & Dagenham in partnership with Age Concern hold special support groups for people with dementia and their carers. This meeting can be a useful opportunity to meet others in the similar situations and to share concerns you may have. Helpful tips can be exchanged and mutual support can be of great help. The group is very informal and light refreshments are available free of charge.

The Service

The service is run by Age Concern B&D and Carers of B & D. We recognised that some carers are unable to leave the person they care for dementia. Therefore this group may be able to help.

Age Concern is experienced in working with older people with dementia and therefore will be providing the day care element, whilst Carers of B & D will ensure carers receive the support they need to access this service and others.

The Memory Lane Café is designed to provide support and care in a relaxed, homely and friendly environment to people aged 55 and over with dementia. The aim is to provide a service that caters for a range of need from low to medium care. (It is possible some high care needs could be provided, but they would need to be carefully assessed to ensure a quality and safe service could be provided.)

Days and Times of service

The service is held on Wednesday's and Friday's alternatively, from 1.30pm until 3.00pm.
Transport can be provided if you were unable to get to the centre by car or public transport.

The Location

The service operates out of Age Concern Barking & Dagenham's Centre, The East Barking Lunch & Leisure centre, Porters Avenue.

The building has level access, and a garden, which can be used during the summer months.There is adequate parking for ambulances and other transport conveying the older people to the centre.

SHARE THE CARE

Carers of Barking and Dagenham are delighted to announce a new service starting in September called Share the Care. It will enable carers caring for someone with dementia to come along together for sessions in a social environment and meet others in a similar situation. The service will be run jointly by Carers of B&D and Age Concern B&D in conjunction with Social Services and will begin with an initial assessment and followed by an introductory period.

Carers will be able to attend sessions between Wednesday and Friday, which will incorporate the already successful Memory Lane Café. The service will be available from 10.00am-3.00pm with lunch, (a small charge will be made for this), giving the option of attending either the morning or the afternoon session or both, with or without lunch. This allows for flexibility to "Share the Care" at a time when the carer needs a break.

Unfortunately at present there is no provision for transport, with the exception of The Memory Lane Café whose transport will remain the same. Carers will be encouraged to attend the service by using "Dial a Ride", Taxi Card Scheme, public transport or private taxis. However should the need be assessed for help with transport during the initial assessment process, every effort will be made to assist with this.

Eventually it is hoped that the service will be gradually extended to cover Saturday and Sunday.

Activities for those with Dementia

A number of activities are held for those with dementia and they are fully supported whilst taking part. They play musical bingo, dominoes, reminiscence afternoons, and armchair aerobics.

If you would like more information on Memory Lane Café or Share the Care please call us on Tel: 020 8593 4422