It is estimated that there are almost 20,000 people living with dementia in Hertfordshire, which is only expected to continue rising as time goes on. Fortunately, there are lots of excellent services and activities in place to help people from the NHS, charities and other non-profit organisations. In this guide, you can find out about all the best local dementia services that exist for you and your relative.
Hertfordshire also benefits from Hertswise, which is a countywide dementia service run in a collaboration between a wide number of organisations, including Carers in Hertfordshire, Age UK Hertfordshire and the Hertfordshire Independent Living Service.
NHS Services for People with Dementia in Hertfordshire
For an overview of how the NHS services are run in Hertfordshire, take a look at our Elderly Care in Hertfordshire page.
Early Memory Diagnosis and Support Service (EMDASS)
The Early Memory Diagnosis and Support Service (EMDASS) offers comprehensive assessment and practical support to Hertfordshire residents who have concerns about their memory and are worried that they may be suffering from Dementia.
The service is made up of Psychiatrists, Nurses, Psychologists and OTs and works in close partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society and Hertfordshire County Council’s Adult Care Services to provide psychological and practical support to people diagnosed with dementia.
The service provides a pre and post diagnostic support pathway for people and their carers who have been identified as having a suspected dementia and as a consequence of assessment within EMDASS receive a new diagnosis of dementia. The aim of the service is enable people with dementia and their carers to live well, through post diagnostic support offered by this service and they are also given an opportunity to plan for their future. This service is offered for a period of 38 weeks when the service user and carers will be transferred onto to a relevant service to support their assessed needs the Alzheimer’s Society is available to offer support throughout the pathway.
Referrals to EMDASS can only be made by a GP or a health worker who has already carried out a dementia screen, so the first point of call if you think your relative may benefit from the EMDASS service is to speak to your relative’s GP.
The EMDASS service is divided in to four quadrants in Hertfordshire, contact details for which can be found below.
North West Team
- Address: The Marlowes Health and Wellbeing Centre, 39-41 Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 1LD
- Telephone: 01442 275628
- Email: [email protected]
North Team
- Rosanne House, Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL8 6HG
- Telephone: 01438 792120
- Email: [email protected]
South West Team
- Address: Colne House, 21 Upton Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0JP
- Telephone: 01923 837 154
- Email: [email protected]
East Team
- Address: Rosanne House Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL8 6HG
- Telephone: 01707 364012
- Email: [email protected]
Adult Speech & Language Therapy
Speech and language therapists can support people with dementia who may struggle with communication, swallowing, eating or drinking. They can work alongside you to find some direct interventions to support your relative.
North & East Hertfordshire
The Adult Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service in East and North Hertfordshire is provided by the Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust.
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
South & West Hertfordshire
For residents in South and West Hertfordshire, the Adult Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service is provided by Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust.
- Telephone: 03000 200 656
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Older Person's Mental Health Services
Mental Health services for older people in Hertfordshire are provided by the Hertfordshire Partnership University Trust. The services provided by the Older People’s Mental Health teams are broad, reflecting the wide number of mental health services that older people may need, including dementia. You can read more about the provision of Older People’s Mental Health Services in Hertfordshire and how to get in contact with them, from our guide to Elderly Care in Hertfordshire.
Local Charities Supporting People with Dementia in Hertfordshire
Alzheimer's Society
The Alzheimer’s Society in Hertfordshire runs the Dementia Information and Support Service, which offers information about all aspects of living with dementia for you and your relative, as well as signposting to appropriate local services.
- Telephone: 01707 378365
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Cogs Clubs
Cogs Clubs are small, structured groups for people with mild-to-moderate dementia, centred around purposeful activities based on Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST). The clubs can help people to recall or develop new skills in order to improve their daily lives and routines.
You may also be interested in reading our interview with Cogs Club founder Jackie Tuppen, where she discusses a typical day at a club, and the positive effect that they have had.
There are two Cogs Clubs currently running in Hertfordshire, both run by Age UK Dacorum, details of which you can find below. They each cost £12.00 to attend.
Bourne End Cogs Club
- Address: Bourne End Village Hall, London Road, Bourne End, HP1 2RJ
- When: Every Wednesday
- Telephone: 01442 259049
Tring Cogs Club
- Address: Pond Close Sheltered Housing, High Street, Tring, HP23 5BE
- When? Every Tuesday
- Telephone: 01442 259049
The Red Shed Project
The Red Shed Project is a non-profit organisation that provides support and activities for people in Hertfordshire living with dementia, as well as for their carers and family. Their horticultural therapists provide outdoor events and workshops for people from their garden in Stevenage.
You can find out about all the current groups and activities they have on offer through their Workshops & Events page.
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Hertfordshire Independent Living Service
The Hertfordshire Independent Living Service (HILS) run Kingfisher Day Clubs for people living with dementia. These are designed to be ‘fun clubs’, offering a mix of engaging activities that suit all individuals’ needs. HILS’ fun clubs are run by their trained staff and supported by their team of volunteers.
- When? Jubilee Centre, Catherine Street, St Albans, AL3 5BU
- When? Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 3:00pm
- Price: £35.00
- Telephone: 0330 2000 103
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Age UK Hertfordshire
Age UK Hertfordshire provides support to people with dementia in Hertfordshire. One form of support they provide is through running the Chalmers Court Day Care Centre in Rickmansworth, which is a day care centre for older people living with dementia. At this day care centre they offer a range of dementia-friendly activities including chair-based exercises, reminiscence activities, games, singing and more.
- Telephone: 01923 774 328
- Visit Website
All Sorts Dementia Group
All Sorts Dementia Group is a Hertfordshire-based, non-profit organisation that provides support for people living with dementia, as well as their carers.
All Sorts Dementia Group organise Group Activities in Ware, Sawbridgeworth and Essendon, allowing people with dementia to socialise in a fun, supportive and understanding environment, while their carers take a break. As part of the activities, your relative would be able to take part in Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST).
You can find our more about all the activities and opportunities offered by All Sorts by visiting their website or getting in touch through the details provided below.
- 01279 970474
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
