Bridgend Partnership is changing life for people living with advanced dementia
Working with local authority and third sector partners, Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB is changing the way people living with advanced dementia in Bridgend are supported to maintain their independence.
The Bridgend Resource Centre, which is owned by Bridgend County Borough Council, is a hub for people living in the community with a dementia diagnosis. Open during the week, the Centre is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team, including practical and emotional support staff.
Utilising the Integrated Care Fund, the project sets out to enhance the community offer in the Bridgend locality and deliver on the Dementia Delivery Plan and Dementia Standards for Wales. It’s overarching aims are to avoid unnecessary admission to hospital and long-term care, and to provide support to carers to continue in their role when living with and/or caring for people living with dementia.
Sophie Bassett, Service Manager for Older Person’s Mental Health in Bridgend said: “The Centre is a one-stop-shop for people living with dementia in our communities. As well as a host of support services, we also have a specialist mental health nurse there each day to provide clinical advice. This fantastic resource is all about keeping people at home for as long as possible while also providing them with the necessary support and respite for those caring for them.
“By locating a centre like this in the community we will see less people needing admittance to our hospitals because they are receiving the correct care in the correct location.”
The centre can be used for a couple of hours at a time, or for a full day, and is also home to a hydro pool.
Along with Sophie, Carmel Donovan, Integrated Community Services Manager and lead for the project is exploring plans with the day centre team to extend the service further. She explained: “We are exploring the offer to people living with young onset dementia by creating a space in the unit to meet those individuals’ needs. As COVID restrictions relax, we hope to be able to use the available space, running meaningful activities with support from Mental Health Matters, as well as setting up a café onsite.
“This project is a great example of co-production and integration with involvement from the local authority, Health Board and third sector colleagues as well as receiving regular feedback and improvement ideas from the service users themselves.