More Support For People With Dementia In Walsall

People in Walsall with dementia will soon be able to access more support thanks to the launch of a new service.

Six new roles, called Personal Assistants – Dementia (PADs) are being managed by Pathways 4 Life, a partnership between the Accord Group and Age UK Walsall, thanks to funding worth more than £500,000 from Walsall Clinical Commissioning Group. Four of the six roles have now been appointed: Sadhana Chauhan, Michelle Ebanks, Heather Keen and Stephanie Powell all began work on October 1st. 

The PADs will support memory assessment services in providing practical interventions to people from the time of diagnosis of dementia for a maximum period of 12 weeks.

The roles will work alongside existing services in the town to offer free support to people from diagnosis until they are signposted to other forms of support.  The roles will also assist people with the more practical aspects of adjusting to a long-term but life-limiting condition to enable them to prepare for the future.

Each PAD will work to person-centred principles, recognising that everyone is different and therefore we support an individualised and person-centred approach.

Nicole Beeching, Head of Service Development at the Accord Group, said:  “The approach to dealing with people with dementia has changed over recent years and we now care that is ‘needs-led’ and not ‘provider-led’.  We recognise that everyone with dementia, no matter what stage they are at, has varying needs.

“Focusing on the person with dementia, their carer and their family’s individual overall needs is our number one priority.  These new roles will do just that and we are delighted to be able to offer more ongoing support across Walsall.

Pathways 4 Life offers a range of services across Walsall, including seven dementia cafes, offering people with dementia and their families the opportunity to meet, share experiences and access other support.  For more information, contact Janine Hayes on 07793699141.