Meadowside Dementia Hub - Dartford

Meadowside Day Centre
Meadowside
Dartford
DA1 2RZ
United Kingdom

Email: enquiries@ageukkentrivers.org.uk
Telephone: 01634 572616

Our Dementia Hub supports older people in North West Kent who are living with dementia in a welcoming, fun, safe and supportive environment where people can build new friendships and benefit from a variety of cognitive stimulation methods.

About the Dementia Hub

The Dementia Hub is run from the Meadowside Centre in Dartford and is available on Mondays and Fridays from 9am to 4pm.

The Dementia Hub is designed to support older people in the earlier stages of living with dementia, helping people feel valued, accepted and an integral part of the community, as well as providing a much needed respite break to their carers.

The Dementia Hub promotes a person-centered approach where individuals with mild to moderate dementia take part in meaningful and stimulating activities, proven to help maintain memory and mental functioning.

On a daily and weekly basis we provide a programme of facilities for reminiscence and memory therapies, discussions, activities, games and quizzes, arts, crafts, dining and relaxation. Physical activity and exercise are encouraged including access to our garden areas.

What other services are available at the Dementia Hub?

We also offer other services shared by the whole centre, which include access to chiropody, bathing and hearing and sight specialists (additional charges may apply). The external doors have electronic keypad locks making the centre safe and secure.

Dementia Hub provides a freshly-cooked two-course lunch and refreshments throughout the day, which is included in the daily charge. Transport is available but may be limited at times, and is subject to demand.

The purpose of the Dementia Hub

✓ An enjoyable day out in a welcoming, fun, friendly and cognitively stimulating environment supported by trained and caring staff.
✓ Support for carers at home with a much needed respite break.
✓ Sensitivity to the personal dignity, diversity, equality and general needs of the individual and their carer.
✓ Improvement wherever possible to the quality of life, health and well-being for the individual and their carer at home.

Added value for Carers

✓ A high degree of reassurance that loved ones are safe, secure and sensitively supported whilst away for the day.
✓ Potential peer support and contact with other carers can be available.
✓ Access to information and other services provided by Age UK Kent Rivers, Age UK (National) or other organisations in the local area or nationally.
✓ Access to information and advice linked to applying for any relevant and qualifying financial state benefits.

Activities at the Dementia Hub

o Chair Based Exercises
o Reminiscence & Life History
o Games, Exercise and Movement
o Arts & Crafts
o Discussion Groups
o Gardening Club
o Reality Orientation

Outcomes of the Dementia Hub

It is expected that an older person who lives with dementia and attends Dementia Hub will be:

✓ More likely to remain living independently for longer in their own home.
✓ More likely to respond to the a variety of stimulation provided in a new structured setting with new people to meet and talk to.
✓ More likely to be actively independent away from a home environment, providing that vital respite break to others.

A structured activities programme will be carried out either as a group or on a one-to-one basis. Specific outcomes are focused on, such as helping reduce confusion, encouraging social interaction, restoring self-esteem, reducing isolation, providing physical and mental stimulation, memory focus and having fun.

We recognise that people living with dementia are individuals and we work hard to create an experience tailored to an individual's needs.

Is a Dementia diagnosis needed?

To access Dementia Hub a medical diagnosis is not required, however we strongly recommend that a General Practitioner is consulted as soon as possible, as a formal diagnosis of dementia may make other resources and support available from the NHS and Adult Social Care.