Therapeutic Intervention Services (TIS)

If you have Young Onset Dementia (YOD) and are referred to TIS, you will be invited to attend our Occupational Therapy, young onset dementia/YOD group. This group lasts for 8 weeks and focuses on teaching you and your loved ones the strategies and techniques that can support you to carry on doing the things that are meaningful and important in your day-to-day life.

The group is facilitated by Occupational Therapists and a Peer Volunteer. They will give you some practical advice, and encourage you to discuss your experiences following diagnosis in a safe and supportive group space. This group provides you and your loved ones with an opportunity to meet, share and discuss your experiences with your peers who also live with young onset dementia.

Once you have completed the YOD group, you may be offered individual Occupational Therapy sessions to further support your independence at home. This will be provided on a case-by-case basis and will be available for group members who need extra support to implement strategies or who have more complex needs.

Occupational Therapy's aim is to work with you to help you to maintain your mental and physical health, so you can continue to enjoy the activities, relationships, and roles in your life that you find meaningful and enjoyable.

Who

Groups are offered for individuals with a recent diagnosis of dementia for both over 65 years and for those with a diagnosis of YOD (under 65). The groups run for 8 weeks and offer a supportive and knowledge sharing environment covering:

• Adapting to a dementia diagnosis
• Identifying change
• Memory strategies
• Wellbeing and dementia
• Healthy living
• Communication
• planning ahead

The Therapeutic intervention service (TIS) also offers a family peer support worker service for the carers and loved ones attending the group work. This invaluable service is provided by staff who have had personal experience of supporting others and can offer resources, signposting, emotional space to talk and peer based coffee mornings.

 

Where

Groups are run in the following venues: Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark, City (Highbury hospital) and Rushcliffe (Lings Bar Hospital).