Services for People with Dementia and their Carers

Carers of West Lothian

The following information is provided courtesy of Carers of West Lothian. They are a voluntary organisation that provide information and support on a wide range of issues to unpaid carers. Please visit their website: https://cowl.org.uk/for-carers/dementia-carers for the latest information.

Are you a carer?

A carer is a person of any age who provides unpaid care and support to a spouse, partner, relative, friend or neighbour, who cannot manage to live independently without the carer’s help. This may be due to frailty, illness, disability or addiction. The support a carer provides may include:

• moving and handling
• help with cooking and shopping
• personal hygiene and administering medication
• providing emotional support
• acting as a representative for the person being cared for

Who is entitled to a carer’s assessment?

You are entitled to a carer’s assessment if you undertake a ‘substantial and regular’ caring role for another person. The following questions will help you to decide whether or not you are a ‘substantial and regular’ carer.
Do you live with/care for a vulnerable adult or a child with a disability?
Are you the main or only carer?
Is the person you care for at risk if you were unable to provide support?
Do you have regular (daily/weekly) contact with the person?
Do you require support to sustain the caring role?
Are you under 18 years and undertaking caring responsibilities?

What is the purpose of a carer’s assessment?

Carers have a legal right to an assessment of their needs. It is your chance to discuss with social workers what help you need with caring. You can also discuss any help that would maintain your own health and balance caring with other aspects of your life, like work and family. Social workers use the assessment to decide what help to provide.

Downloadable resources for carers of people with dementia from Carers of West Lothian can be found here.

Alzheimer Scotland Activities in West Lothian

In-person and online activities for carers and people with dementia.

Download what’s on this month: https://www.alzscot.org/centre/west-lothian/

These Community Groups are intended for anyone living with dementia or experiencing memory difficulties, including their families and friends. All are welcome; people who can attend independently, and those unable to do so should come with a companion who can provide any support. We cannot transport these groups, so it is your responsibility to get to and from this community activity safely. Please speak to us, so we can support you in exploring other transport options.

We are also here for you with a warm drink, food, and company. We will be providing more coffee catch-ups or pop in for a warm drink. Please see below for more details. If you are unsure, or have questions about any of the groups, or have an idea for a new group, contact:

Alzheimer Scotland Activities Community Organiser for West Lothian
Tel: 01506 533 108
Email: westlothianservices@alzscot.org
Address: Unit 1 Grampian Court, Beveridge Court, Livingston, EH54 6QF

WEEKLY CAFÉS

Mondays

Livingston Brain Health Centre – Unit 1 Grampian Court, EH54 6QF

• Knit and Natter (Knitting, crochet, sewing group)
  10:30am to 12pm
  Knitting, crochet and sewing group. All levels of knitting welcome. Grab a cuppa and learn new skills. Suggested donation – £2.50
• Redbrick Café Social Circle (under 65)
  10:30am to 12pm
  A space for people under 65 years old, newly diagnosed with dementia, worried about their memory, MCI, or living with dementia. Suggested donation – £2.50

Tuesdays

Livingston Brain Health Centre – Unit 1 Grampian Court, EH54 6QF

• Yoga Class with Sonshine Yoga
  11am to 12pm
  An accessible, inclusive class that helps you breathe better, move better, and feel better. Gentle movement, breathing practices and time to relax. Suggested donation – £2.50
• Film and Friendship Café
  11am to 12pm
  Join us for a laid-back morning sharing much-loved films and warm conversation. Great for sparking memories and building friendships. Suggested donation – £2.50
• Carers Group
  2pm to 3pm
  Meet others and have a chat and cuppa. Family and friends are welcome in the quiet room. Suggested donation – £2.50
• Games and a Gab
  2pm to 3pm
  Join us to play some games, from Sudoku to Scrabble to jigsaws! Suggested donation – £2.50

Wednesdays

Livingston Brain Health Centre – Unit 1 Grampian Court, EH54 6QF

• Livingston Memory Café, Livingston
  1pm to 2:30pm
  Relaxed, informal settings where people living with dementia and their carers can meet others. Suggested donation – £2.50
• Creative Corner
  1pm to 2:30pm
  Join our craft club. No experience required; activities change weekly. Suggested donation – £2.50

Thursdays

Livingston Brain Health Centre – Unit 1 Grampian Court, EH54 6QF

• Bloom and Blether (Gardening group)
  1pm to 2:30pm
  Focuses on planting and growing our own produce. Held indoors during winter with garden-themed activities. Suggested donation – £2.50

Fridays

• 1:1 Support – Booking required
  10am to 3pm
  To talk about any questions or concerns you have about your brain health or dementia.

MONTHLY COMMUNITY CAFÉS

Second Monday of every month
West Calder Community Café (1pm to 2:30pm)
West Calder Hub, Dickson Street, West Calder, EH55 8DZ
A laid-back, informal space to connect with others nearby. Optional activities available.

Third Monday of every month
Whitburn/Blackburn Quality Community Café (2pm to 3:30pm)
Blackburn United Football Club, Ashgrove, Blackburn, EH47 7LL
Meet friendly faces in a warm environment. Participate in activities or just enjoy the atmosphere.

Third Wednesday of every month
Linlithgow Caring Community Café (10:30am to 12pm)
Queen Margaret Hall, 53 Blackness Road, Linlithgow, EH49 7JA
A gentle, informal setting for mutual support and optional activities.

Third Friday of every month
The Memory Café, Armadale Community Café (11am to 1pm)
The Community Centre, North Street, Armadale, EH48 3QB
Finish the week in good company with creative activities or a quiet chat.

Other Cafés: Bathgate, East Calder, Uphall, and Broxburn.

Download what’s on this month: https://www.alzscot.org/centre/west-lothian/

For further information, contact the Alzheimer Scotland Activities Community Organiser:
Telephone: 01506 533 108
Address: Unit 1 Grampian Court, Beveridge Court, Livingston, EH54 6QF

People with Dementia

The following information is provided courtesy of Alzheimer Scotland, Please visit their website for the latest information.
A note from Alzheimer Scotland: All groups mentioned below are for people who are able to attend safely on their own or who are accompanied by someone to support them.

Dementia Advisor

Alzheimer Scotland has a network of skilled Dementia Advisors across Scotland. Dementia Advisors offer completely confidential advice and support to people with dementia, their families and friends in the community. For more information go to: https://www.alzscot.org/community-support/dementia-advisors/.

What is a Dementia Advisor?
Dementia Advisors can offer you, your family or carer confidential advice and support. They also work with local communities to make them more dementia friendly. They run a range of therapeutic groups, as well as offer carer support and education activities in our Brain Health and Dementia Resource Centres, in community locations across Scotland, and online.

Download: Dementia Advisor leaflet

Alzheimer Scotland  Dementia Advisors
Telephone: 0300 373 5774
Website/Email: https://www.alzscot.org/community-support/dementia-advisors/