Health boards have a responsibility to deliver mental health dementia services for older people.
The term ‘dementia’ is used to describe a syndrome which may be caused by a number of illnesses in which there is progressive decline in many areas of function, including decline in memory, reasoning, communication skills and the ability to carry out daily activities. People may also develop behavioural and psychological symptoms such as depression, psychosis and aggression.
If anyone is worried about memory loss in our community, we encourage people to speak to their GP – there is lots of support and help available.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg has undertaken a review of its mental health dementia services for older people.
The review looked at:
The review identified that mental health dementia services for older people are being delivered very differently across many parts of Wales and the UK, with different outcomes for people living with dementia.
Our older population is increasing and there will be a much greater demand for our mental health dementia services in the future.
We want to ensure that people living with dementia, now and in the future, have access to the support they need, at the right time, and in the right place.
Currently, our service is provided in day care settings, but we are inviting our communities to share their views on a proposed ‘peripatetic community service’ in the future.
A peripatetic community service is a flexible service. Rather than support and care being delivered in a fixed location, a peripatetic community service will travel around the Cwm Taf Morgannwg region, reaching into various locations to support individuals to live independently in the community.
The service would be available in a number of locations including homes and community settings.
The aim of moving to a Peripatetic Community Service is to increase the amount of specialist support that is available to people living with dementia, to support people to live well in their community, for as long as possible.
The following has been produced to provide more information about mental health dementia services for older people and for you to let us know your views.