Saturday 21^st September is ‘World Alzheimer's Day’, the main day of ‘World Alzheimer’s Month’. This international campaign aims to raise awareness of and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia.

Guild Care recognises that as dementia progresses, it is important for people to carry on with their interests and for carers to have time to themselves, even if only for a few hours.

That's why we run a variety of services ranging from home care to day respite services and have dedicated dementia care homes. These aspects of our organisation help families by offering a range of support and information during their dementia journey.

We have developed a range of innovative services that emotionally connect people living with dementia. These dementia services recognise the importance of providing specialist care as well as giving carers much needed time to recharge their batteries. Being a family carer can be both physically draining and emotionally stressful, with many carers putting their lives ‘on hold’ to provide care for a relative.

  

Our Head of Older People’s Services, Nicki Freeman, said: “A scheduled respite place for their loved one, in our informal and friendly club surroundings with like-minded people and friendly faces, helps a carer to be able to relax and to simply begin to be themselves again for a few hours – to meet friends, run errands, pursue hobbies, or simply to switch off and recharge.

“Our services are a welcoming place, a change of scenery - where people know who you are by name, what you like and don’t like, where laughter and an individual’s feelings are at the heart of our culture.”

‘Time Out in Worthing’, a recent addition to our dementia services, provides a range of group outings and community trips for people living with dementia, such as visits to local attractions, strolls along the seafront, pub lunches, and cream teas. Time Out in Worthing visits somewhere different each week with a door-to-door service, collecting people from their homes and later returning them. This service runs on both Mondays and Wednesdays and is supported by a driver, support workers, and volunteers.

The service runs from the Bradbury Wellbeing Centre, a purpose built dementia facility in Goring. The centre provides a wide range of small group activities, such as music, art, exercise, reminiscence, quizzes, and hair and beauty – all of which are tailored to meet the needs and wishes of individuals.

Jacqui Wilkinson, 73, and her husband Ian, 76, have been accessing a range of our dementia services for the last three years. Jacqui said: “Since we got Ian’s diagnosis for the first five years we just ticked along without any support, it was then through word of mouth and carers support that we were recommended to Guild Care.

“I really can’t praise the staff enough. They are all fantastic and go over and above for us all. And actually we do become a family with staff and other people who access the services. We are all in this together; everyone is very supportive as they truly understand what we are going through.”

To read more about our dementia services, click here. We also have two specialist dementia care homes: Haviland House and Linfield House.

You can also get in touch with our friendly Customer Service Team on 01903 327327 or [email protected].