My account
Services
Adult social care
Dementia
Dementia causes the loss of mental abilities such as thinking, remembering and reasoning. This loss usually happens gradually.
Dementia can affect anyone whatever their age, although most people who get it are over 65. The symptoms of dementia can vary from person to person.
How to get help
If you think you or someone you care for may be showing signs of dementia, it's important to see your GP. Your GP will be able to diagnose dementia and prescribe some treatment that may slow down its progress.
Your GP can also support you to get a diagnosis from the Memory Assessment and Support Service. The service may prescribe treatment which your GP can support with.
Your GP can also refer you to other dementia support services, either provided by the NHS or in the community. There's also a dementia champion in every GP practice who you can speak to for more advice.
Living with dementia
It's possible to live well with dementia. You can find out about local groups and activities on the Dementia Friendly Barnsley website, by calling 01226 731094, or by searching the Live Well Barnsley directory.
If you need some practical help or equipment to live at home with dementia, contact us to get a social care assessment. We also have a range of assistive living technology that can help you live safely at home. We can also advise you about services that provide respite or longer-term support, or give you advice about finding a care home that specialises in dementia care.
Reducing the risk of dementia
A study by The Lancet Commission in 2017 suggests there are 12 risk factors spanning from childhood to later life that increase the risk of dementia. These risk factors account for around 40% of worldwide dementias. The risk factors are:
- children’s education
- hearing loss
- traumatic brain injury
- hypertension
- alcohol use
- obesity
- smoking
- depression
- social isolation
- physical inactivity
- air pollution
- diabetes
To reduce the dementia risk, the authors make nine recommendations.
Recommendations to reduce dementia risk
- Aim to maintain systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg or less iron from around age 40 years. Make sure you check your blood pressure regularly with an NHS Health Check.
- Use hearing aids for hearing loss and reduce hearing loss by protecting ears from high noise levels. Our Barnsley Audiology department offers:
- home visits
- balance assessments
- support with tinnitus
- hearing aids
- ear protection
- Reduce exposure to air pollution and second-hand tobacco smoke. Find out about Barnsley's air quality.
- Prevent head injury by targeting people in high risk jobs and transport.
- Prevent alcohol misuse and limit drinking to less than 14 units per week. Find out how to reduce your alcohol intake.
- Stop smoking uptake and support people to stop smoking. Find out about your local stop smoking service.
- Provide all children with primary and secondary education.
- Lead an active life into mid, and possibly later life. You can find out how to do this by visiting:
- Reduce obesity and diabetes. Find out how to keep a healthy weight on the NHS website.
For more details on ways to keep healthy and reduce your dementia risk, visit the NHS dementia guide.
Dementia partnership group
Our partnership group, Dementia and Me, meets every six weeks. We're committed to working together to implement and monitor our Dementia Strategy and support our strategic vision which is that: "Barnsley people living with dementia and their carers experience person-centred care supported by integrated services. This provides a holistic approach to care, in their local communities."
For more information
Contact us online or call us on 01226 773300