Dementia and Memory Loss

Caring for someone with dementia can be emotionally and physically demanding. Because everyone’s journey is different, we offer individual guidance and information to help you in your caring role.

Support Groups

Dementia Toolkit

Everyone’s journey is different which is why we offer individual guidance and information to help you in your caring role. Once you are registered with Carers Support West Sussex we are able to help with a host of support, ranging from emotional to financial assistance tailored to your needs as well as refer you to partner organisations.

This toolkit will help you navigate the services and support available to people caring for someone with dementia in West Sussex, how and who to go to for help and how we can support and guide you.

For more information about a vast array of resources to help you on your journey, please take a look at this toolkit and guide here:

Download Dementia Toolkit

Register with Us

Registering with us as a carer opens the door to a wide range of free support to suit your needs, including:

Tailored information and support to help you with your caring role
Opportunities to meet other carers who may have similar experiences to you
Workshops which provide training and learning on topics such as welfare benefits
Information about local and national organisations
Regular newsletter

Learn About Dementia

Dementia is a progressive condition characterised by a range of cognitive and behavioural symptoms.

What are the symptoms of Dementia that you need to be aware of as a carer?

Dementia symptoms can include:

Memory loss
Problems with reasoning and communication
A change in personality
Reduced ability to carry out daily activities such as washing or dressing

Types of Dementia

There are many different types of dementia, each with its own characteristics and challenges. As a Carer of someone with dementia, it is important for you to understand what you may encounter.
Understanding how your loved one may be affected by their condition can help you to be prepared and get the support you need. See below for the more common types of dementia.

Click next to read about some of the more common types of dementia.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia that mostly affects people over 65.
The onset is gradual, starting with memory loss of recent events. This progresses to the lack of ability to perform daily tasks, seemingly irrational behaviour and the inability to communicate.
It is an irreversible progressive disorder with no known cure.

Vascular Dementia (due to cerebrovascular disease)

Vascular dementia is a direct result of damage to the brain, occurring when there is a problem with the supply of blood to the brain. It is often caused by a specific event such as a stroke or can result from smaller blockages that may happen over a longer period of time.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Dementia with Lewy bodies is one of the most common types of dementia. It rarely affects anyone under 65 and is a gradual onset over a longer period of time. Memory issues are similar to those of Alzheimer’s, but symptoms may also include hallucinations and tremors, along with falls resulting from fainting episodes.

Support and Advice

Discover a diverse array of groups and events tailored exclusively for caregivers of individuals with dementia. Join us to connect with a supportive community. Additionally, we provide a wealth of valuable resources and useful links to assist you on your caregiving journey.

Useful Reading Links

Are you caring for someone with dementia? Feeling alone, overwhelmed, or worried about money? Dementia Carers Count is a national charity that provides free support to family dementia carers. It offers confidential, emotional and practical support and advice through its Carer Support Line. Anyone caring for someone with dementia can call for free on 0800 652 1102 from Monday – Friday, 9am to 5pm, and speak to one of the charity’s friendly specialists. The team offers free counselling sessions, benefits advice and practical support. You can find out how to navigate social care, get advice on paying for care and ask anything you want to know about dementia.

You can also access information and resources on the charity’s website and join online groups to connect with other carers. Dementia Carers Count is here to help and to make sure that no dementia carer feels overwhelmed or alone. www.dementiacarers.org.uk

Dementia Carers Groups and Events

Meet and share with other dementia Carers. Our Carer groups are an opportunity to talk about your caring situation and gain further support from other Carers, as well as well-being workers from Carers Support West Sussex and representatives from our partner organisations including Alzheimer’s Society and Sage House.

Please see carer groups hosted at Sage House here

Dementia Online Group

09 January 2025 10:30 - 12:00

On Line support Group for carers caring for those with Dementia

Dementia Online Group

13 February 2025 10:30 - 12:00

On Line support Group for carers caring for those with Dementia

Dementia Online Group

13 March 2025 10:30 - 12:00

On Line support Group for carers caring for those with Dementia

See All Carers Events

Video Library

Please take the time to watch the below video's taken in our community. They highlight the importance of support and if you are caring for a loved one with dementia, knowing that you are not alone.

Support for Carers

Hospital Memory Navigators – North and South

Our memory navigator staff in the north and south of the county work in both acute and community hospitals or dementia clinics for Carers of someone living with dementia or memory issues. They work directly with families affected by dementia to enable the family and friend Carer along with the person they care for to access both local and county wide support, including access to Carer well-being grants and funds, Carer assessment, Carer group activities, and support and to maintain social networks within their local community.

Bilingual Memory Navigator – Crawley

Our bilingual worker is more than an interpreter, using her culturally empathic and/or bilingual skills to help encourage families who have concerns about someone they care for experiencing memory loss related issues.
She supports the family and not only the main Carer as there may well be more than one person in the family carrying out a caring role.

Support with Finances

We will help identify any concerns you have about your caring role, finance, your goals, and how we may be able to help you achieve these. You may be entitled to certain benefits and we can book you in with our benefits adviser for a session to talk about your finances. See more on our Benefits Advice Service page here.
As a Carer registered with us, you can also apply for a grant from our Carer Health and Well being Fund and for equipment from our equipment service. See more on our Carer Equipment Service page here.

Tips for Caring for Someone With Dementia

You can boost self-esteem, help to avoid depression and even improve sleep by encouraging your cared for to:

Stay active for both physical and mental well-being
Meet with other people as this can help with skills and memory
Make everyday tasks as simple as possible and allow plenty of time
Driving and dementia – what you need to know
Keep important items in the same place
Use visual aids, such as photos on cupboards showing the contents
Remove trip hazards. See this useful guide from Dementia UK.
If the person gets up during the night, leave a light on – better still request a sensor light from us at Carers Support West Sussex, provided as part of our Carer Equipment Service.
Talk about events or themes from the person’s past, using prompts such as photos, souvenirs or music. West Sussex Libraries have a useful reminiscence collection.
Talk to other dementia carers online.

Charities for Memory Loss

Sage House: Click here to visit website (Tangmere)

Dementia Support is an exciting local charity working in partnership with voluntary and charitable organisations, the NHS, West Sussex County Council and other statutory organisations, to create a unique community hub for dementia. Designed to truly enhance the wellbeing and quality of life for local people living with dementia, their family and Carers.

Alzheimer’s Society: Click here to visit website

Their mission is to transform the landscape of dementia forever. Until the day we find a cure, they strive to create a society where those affected by dementia are supported and accepted, able to live in their community without fear or prejudice.

NHS Dementia Choices: Click here to visit website

This site offers information for people with dementia and their families and friends. It aims to raise awareness of dementia, as well as help people create networks and better understand the impact of the condition. There are also links to lots of information on dementia and sources of local and national support.

Tuvida: Click here to visit website

Offers a full range of flexible services for adults with various disabilities or health conditions. This includes day, evening and night services, self funding services and social clubs.

Age UK West Sussex Brighton and Hove: Click here to visit website

Your one stop for advice and support across the county.

Admiral Nurses: Click here to visit website

Admiral Nurses provide the specialist dementia support that families need. When things get challenging or difficult, their nurses work alongside people with dementia, and their families: giving them one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions.

Dementia Action Alliance: Click here to visit websites

Dementia Adventure: Click here to visit websites

Dementia Adventure is a registered charity that is dedicated to supporting people to live well with dementia and have a sense of adventure in their lives. We believe in the benefits to be gained from regular, active engagement with the natural world. tide is a UK-wide charity aiming to change the way Carers are recognised, valued, and treated. It tells Carer stories and offers a wide range of online courses and support groups for Carers.

Carers Health Team: Click here to visit website

Are a team of health professionals who aim to promote the health and wellbeing of Carers. They are a free service provided by Sussex Community NHS Trust providing support for Carers over the age of 18 registered with a West Sussex GP. They work directly with carers and will develop individual strategies for each Carer with an aim to reduce the strain of coping with their caring role.

Meri Yaadain (My Memories): Click here to visit website

Is an organisation which supports Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) carers who face barriers in accessing information, services and advocacy.

Bring Dementia Out: Click here to visit website

Addresses the challenges faced by LGBT people living with dementia and those who are supporting them.

Switchboard Brighton and Hove

Dementia Friendly Film Screenings & Theatre:

The Capitol, Horsham

Rope Tackle Centre, Shoreham

Chichester Festival Theatre