Mental Health & Dementia

 

Healthy Living / Lifestyle

Support & Guidance

Local Health Priorities

It is becoming more widely known that 1 in 4 people will experience mental ill-health at some point in their lives. If you are concerned about your mental or emotional state, or you’re worried about someone you know, there is help is available. In this section you will find an array of information, advice and services available to support you, along with being encouraged to talk to your GP about your concerns.

Dementia affects 1 in 14 people over the age of 65 meaning that 225,000 people will develop dementia this year, that’s one every 3 minutes. In order to support others within the community there are 5 key things that everyone should know about dementia:

  1. Dementia is not a natural part of aging
  2. It is caused by diseases of the brain
  3. It’s not just about memory loss
  4. It’s possible to live well with dementia.
  5. There is more to the person than the dementia

 

The most common mental health problems include addictions, anxiety, depression (including bi-polar disorder) and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Often these are a reaction to a difficult life event, for example moving house, bereavement or problems at work.

Some simple ideas to boost your mood include:-

  • Express yourself artistically;
  • Take more exercise – a brisk walk can be particularly effective;
  • Try relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation;
  • Improve your time management;
  • Try to change the way you think and do something positive.

Steps 2 Change

Steps 2 Change provides a first point of contact for people aged 18 and over who wish to access mental health and learning disability services in Lincolnshire.

Designed for both routine or urgent referrals and enquiries, the single point of access contact centre is staffed by fully qualified and skilled healthcare professionals 24 hours a day, seven days’ a week, 365 days’ a year. The team provides advice and guidance through a triage process, where the urgency of care required is assessed.

For further information please speak to your GP or call the Single Point of Access 0303 123 4000.

Boston Community Mental Health Peer Support Group

A newly formed peer support group is available every Wednesday at Geoff Moulder Leisure Complex, Rowley Road, Boston between 12.00 – 2.00 p.m.  For further information please contact Lynsey Taylor 01205 318075.

Links –

Dementia Family Support Service

The Lincolnshire Dementia Family Support Service has been funded by Lincolnshire County Council to help you if you have a dementia diagnosis, your family or carer. The service is delivered by specialist family support workers. The service provides information on dementia, advice on how to manage your condition and help you stay independent for as long as possible. Family support workers can also help you to navigate available services to find the right support for you.

For more information please visit https://www.lpft.nhs.uk/our-services/older-adults/dementia-support.

Dementia Friends

Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition. Whether you attend a face-to-face Information Session or watch the online video, Dementia Friends is about learning more about dementia and the small ways you can help.

For more information please refer to the Dementia Friends link below.

Boston Dementia Action Alliance

Organisations and individuals from across the Borough have come together to recognise the diversity of organisations needed to effectively support people with dementia and their carers in Boston. These organisations have pledged to recognise and respond to local patient and carers’ needs as best they can in order to work towards Boston becoming a Dementia Friendly Community. If you would like to find out more please refer to the link below.

Support

Support is available locally including care, advice, support groups, activity sessions, adaptive equipment, transport and residential care. A Directory of Services can be accessed at the foot of this page. Local information is also regularly shared on the Boston Dementia Action Alliance Facebook page.

CLICK HERE to view the Dementia Directory of Service for Boston

Links