Dementia support in Sheffield during Coronavirus
If you're living with (or supporting someone living with) memory loss or dementia in Sheffield, there's plenty of support for you, even during the current Coronavirus pandemic.
This page contains sources of emotional and practical support for your health, wellbeing and safety at this time, as well as plenty of ‘at home’ activity ideas for people with dementia (please keep scrolling down the page to see them all).
Explaining Coronavirus to someone living with dementia
What is Covid19? A resource for people with aphasia (language impairment)
Communication cards (in a variety of languages) to help explain coronavirus to people with a language impairment, including dementia.
www.aphasiafriendly.co/covid-19-accessible-information.html
Dementia: The Montessori way
A free Covid-19 Toolkit to help people living with dementia to understand what is happening and why.
www.dementiathemontessoriway.co.uk
Staying well at home: easy read version
An easy read guide to staying well at home, complete with illustrations.
www.easy-read-online.co.uk/news/staying-well-at-home
Support for people with dementia
Sheffield Memory Service
The Memory Service's Help and Advice line is still open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm for existing service users and carers, or for anyone who has recently been referred by their GP for assessment. If you have worries about dementia medication, or are concerned about your own or your loved one's memory, you've noticed a deterioration or just want some advice you can give the team a call on (0114) 271 8585. They are also producing activity packs which can be emailed or posted to you.
www.shsc.nhs.uk/service/memory-service
People Keeping Well community dementia
Your local Sheffield dementia-trained community organisation can support you during this time. They are providing regular telephone contact, a friendly listening ear, dementia information, activity packs and even virtual Memory Cafés and dementia-friendly groups via Zoom. You’ll receive a warm virtual welcome from the dementia workers at the organisations listed below. They’re all Dementia Friends and have attended Dementia Stars training.
To find contact details of your local dementia-friendly organisation use the map below, enter your postcode and then click on the dot. Alternatively you can just click on the coloured area you live in on the map. Or you can use the contact details in the list below the map.
List of People Keeping Well dementia support organisations
|
Area |
Organisation |
Neighbourhoods |
Contact information |
|
1 |
Stocksbridge, Upper Don, Deepcar, Wharncliffe Side, Bradfield, Oughtibridge, Worrall |
Dave on 0114 283 0141 |
|
|
2 |
Chapeltown, High Green, Burncross, Grenoside, Ecclesfield |
Rosie on 0114 213 4075 |
|
|
3 |
ZEST |
Hillsborough, Middlewood, Wadsley, Loxley, Stannington, Wisewood |
Sarah on 07572 643207 or 0114 2702040 ext 232 |
|
4 |
Southey, Owlerton, Parson Cross, Fox Hill, Longley, Shirecliffe, Colley |
Rosie on 0114 213 4075 |
|
|
5 |
Firth Park, Shiregreen, Flower, Wincobank, Brightside, Stubbin, Brushes |
Rosie on 0114 213 4075 |
|
|
6 |
Crookes, Crosspool, Broomhill, Lodgemoor, Fulwood, Ranmoor, Endcliffe, Greystones, Nether Edge, Bents Green, Ecclesall, Brincliffe, Millhouses, Whirlow, Abbeydale |
Josée on 0114 250 2850 |
|
|
7 |
Netherthorpe, Upperthorpe, Walkley, Langsett, Crookesmoor |
Sarah on 07572 643207 or 0114 270 2040 ext 232 |
|
|
8 |
Burngreave, Fir Vale, Firshill, Abbeyfield, |
Rosie on 0114 213 4075 |
|
|
9 |
Darnall, Tinsley, Acres Hill, Handsworth, Housesteads |
Jo-Anne on 07495 548929 or 0114 249 6315 Community Hub 07946 320 808 |
|
|
10 |
City Centre, Sharrow, Broomhall |
Nur on 0114 250 0222 |
|
|
11 |
Manor, Castle, Park Hill, Wybourn |
Nigel on 07918 054 103 or 0114 278 9999 |
|
|
12 |
Arbourthorne, Norfolk Park |
Nigel on 07918 054 103 or 0114 278 9999 |
|
|
13 |
Heeley, Meersbrook, Woodseats, Norton |
Sharna on 0114 3991070 |
|
|
14 |
Dore and Totley |
Josée on 0114 250 2850 |
|
|
15 |
Lowedges, Batemoor, Jordanthorpe, Beauchief, Greenhill, Bradway |
Sadia on 0114 2398946 |
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|
16 |
Gleadless Valley, Heeley, Newfield Green |
Lee on 0114 258 0482 |
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17 |
Woodhouse, Beighton, Mosborough, Sothall, Westfield, Halfway, Woodthorpe, Waterthorpe, Richmond, Hackenthorpe, Hollinsend, Birley, Charnock, Owlthorpe, Base Green |
Kath on 07494 036594 or 0114 2690222 |
Other dementia support organisations
Age UK Sheffield
Support available from Age UK Sheffield during the coronavirus outbreak.
www.ageuk.org.uk/sheffield/about-us/helpful-resources
Alzheimer’s Society
Free, easy to access advice which puts you in touch with the right support, including local help, phone and online advice and Companion Calls.
Dementia Connect: 0333 150 3456
www.alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaconnect
Dementia Talking Point is the Alzheimer’s Society’s online community where people affected by dementia can receive valuable support from people in similar situations:
www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/dementia-talking-point-our-online-community
Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline
A free phoneline for anyone with a question or concern about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This includes providing critical emotional and practical support to carers affected by the coronavirus.
- Call 0800 888 6678 (Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm)
- Email helpline@dementiauk.org
- Visit www.dementiauk.org/get-support/dementia-helpline-alzheimers-helpline
Young Dementia UK
Join the Young Dementia Network if you are under 65 and living with dementia.
www.youngdementiauk.org/young-dementia-network
Rare Dementia Support
Information about what the coronavirus pandemic means for people living with rare forms of dementia, with practical tips and newsletters.
www.raredementiasupport.org/coronavirus-covid-19
BAME Dementia and Covid-19
Information leaflets for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) families with important dementia information on how to stay safe and healthy in this difficult time.
www.meriyaadain.co.uk/2020/04/09/living-with-dementia-and-covid-19
Support for family carers of people with dementia
Sheffield Carers Centre
Carer Advice line: 0114 272 8362
Information for carers about coronavirus, including how to plan for if they become unwell:
sheffieldcarers.org.uk/information-for-carers-and-others-about-coronavirus-and-covid-19
Time for a Break Fund – applications must fit the criteria, but could possibly be used at this time for items such as craft materials and technology.
sheffieldcarers.org.uk/time-for-a-break
Dementia UK: coronavirus-related information for families looking after someone with dementia
Advice about coronavirus, Q&As, leaflets and information including caring from a distance, calming techniques, looking after yourself, dealing with restlessness and film suggestions for people living with dementia.
www.dementiauk.org/get-support/coronavirus-covid-19
Alzheimer’s Society
Coronavirus-related dementia information and activity ideas, including how to support people from a distance and at home, activity ideas and what happens if someone becomes ill.
www.alzheimers.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
Carers UK
Online forum for carers.
TIDE dementia carers support page
Together In Dementia Everyday (TIDE) has set up a closed facebook page to support dementia carers.
facebook.com/groups/tidecarerssupport
Healthwatch Sheffield
News, advice and health information relating to coronavirus.
www.healthwatchsheffield.co.uk/covid-19
Dementia Carers UK
A virtual carers centre with tips on managing stress and building resilience, solutions to everyday challenges, and learning from other carers’ experiences.
dementiacarers.org.uk/virtual-carers-centre
Dementia Adventure
Free online dementia skills workshops for family carers who are isolated at this time. Topics include continuing to see the person (not the condition), strategies to overcome communication barriers, practical tips to connect with a person with dementia and the benefits of contact with nature and the outdoors.
dementiaadventure.co.uk/what-we-do/training-and-consultancy/free-events
Resource pack for carers
Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust have produced a resource pack for carers ‘Caring for someone with dementia at home’. It includes tips for managing, activity ideas, self-care tips for carers, managing stress, muscle relaxation exercises, meetings needs, online resource links, TV and radio resources.
www.yhscn.nhs.uk/media/PDFs/mhdn/Dementia/Covid 19/Dementia Carer Pack A4 Flyers 230420 (4).pdf
Dementia and Me: BBC dementia podcast
Hosted by BBC Radio Sheffield and Enrichment for the Elderly, this podcast gives an excellent insight into living with and caring for someone living with dementia, along with hints and tips on how to live well.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p07fsqj9
Practical support
Sheffield City Council Coronavirus support
You can request help with collecting shopping, medication or for social contact if you have no other support. You can also find out about emergency food parcels and food banks.
Call the Covid-19 Community Helpline (0114) 273 4567 (Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 4.45pm)
www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/your-city-council/coronavirus-support-for-people
Sheffield City Council Social Care
If you require an assessment for formal care and support please contact Adult Social Care First Contact.
Call (0114) 273 4908
www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/your-city-council/coronavirus-support-for-people#social
Community Covid Support
You can use the map produced by Voluntary Action Sheffield to find local community support (from Community Hubs and street-level groups) during the Covid pandemic.
www.vas.org.uk/sheffield-covid-support-map
Benefits advice
Citizens Advice Sheffield and Sheffield Carers Centre are fully staffed and trained even during this pandemic, and are able to deal with requests about benefits. They also have additional measures in place at this time – for example Citizens Advice Sheffield can phone people back if callers are low on phone credit.
- citizensadvicesheffield.org.uk - for contact details
- sheffieldcarers.org.uk/services/carer-advice-line - for contact details
Social contact
VAS Community Hubs
Volunteers from the Community Hubs can “check in with the people you know are vulnerable and offer a ‘virtual cup of tea’, information, a bit of advice, and some emotional support”.
www.vas.org.uk/sheffield-covid-support-map
Silver Line
The Silver Line is a national free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
- Call 0800 4 70 80 90
- Visit www.thesilverline.org.uk
Alzheimer’s Society: Companion Calls
The Alzheimer’s Society has introduced a new temporary volunteer service for informal chats.
Dementia Connect: 0333 150 3456
SCCCC: become a penpal
You can send letters and cards to other people who are self-isolating and may be vulnerable via SCCCC by sending a letter to Penpal Scheme, SCCCC Unit 19, President Buildings, Savile Street East, Sheffield, S4 7UQ.
www.facebook.com/Sheffield4C/videos/vb.840145926083482/847754615744323/?type=3&theater
SCCCC
The main aim of SCCCC is to prevent loneliness and isolation amongst older people.
B:friend
B:friend are accepting new referrals for people aged over 65 and living alone.
Keeping safe
Avoiding scams: tips to protect yourself from coronavirus scammers
Age UK Sheffield has produced a helpful guide on how to easily identify a potential scam and protect yourselves.
www.ageuk.org.uk/sheffield/about-us/helpful-resources/corona-virus-scams
Avoiding Covid19 scams
The 3 Nations Dementia Working Group has put together some useful tips on avoiding scams related to Covid19.
www.3ndementiawg.org/covid-19-scams
Sheffield Domestic Abuse Helpline
Sheffield’s Domestic Abuse Helpline is provided by IDAS and is free to call from mobiles and landlines: 0808 808 2241. In an emergency call 999 (with the Silent Solution 55 if needed)
sheffielddact.org.uk/domestic-abuse/uncategorized/domestic-abuse-and-covid-19
Mental health support
Sheffield Health and Social Care
24/7 helpline for urgent mental health support (no referral required).
- Call (0114) 226 3636
- Visit www.shsc.nhs.uk/urgent-help
Rethink Mental Illness
Sheffield 24/7 helpline (no referral required).
- Call 0808 801 0440
- Visit www.rethink.org/help-in-your-area/services/advice-and-helplines/sheffield-helpline
IAPT: help on coping with Coronavirus
Self-help, 1-to-1 or group treatments delivered over the phone or online based on what is right for you following an assessment with a clinician in the IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) team.
- Call (0114) 22 64380
- Visit iaptsheffield.shsc.nhs.uk/coping-with-coronavirus
IAPT: Coping with Covid course
The ‘Coping with Covid’ course is a new four session online course looking at different emotional responses to the coronavirus outbreak and offering simple skills and techniques to help cope.
iaptsheffield.shsc.nhs.uk/coping-with-covid-course
Sheffield Mental Health Guide
- Things to do in your home: sheffieldflourish.co.uk/news/coronovirus-things-to-do-in-your-sheffield-homes
- Mental health support: www.sheffieldmentalhealth.co.uk/i-need-support
Sheffield Flourish
Mental health and wellbeing.
- sheffieldflourish.co.uk
- sheffieldflourish.co.uk/news
- ‘Coping during Covid’ wellbeing video: sheffieldflourish.co.uk/news/coping-during-covid-wellbeing-ideas-from-jo
Mental Health Foundation
Tips for looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak.
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak
Mind
Information and ideas to try that could help your wellbeing if you're feeling stressed or anxious about coronavirus and staying at home.
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing
NHS: Every Mind Matters
How to look after your mental wellbeing while staying at home.
- Mental wellbeing while staying at home: www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-at-home-tips
- Tips to help you if you are worried about coronavirus: www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
Sleep tips
Trouble sleeping? Try these tips from the NHS’s Every Mind Matters.
www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/sleep
Other mental health helplines
www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines
Bereavement support
Listening Ear: new bereavement helpline
A new listening service for people in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw who have lost loved ones (from coronavirus or other means) during the time of the pandemic.
- Call 0800 048 5224 (free)
- Email helpline@listening-ear.co.uk
- Visit www.listening-ear.co.uk/refer
Cruse Bereavement Care
Resources specifically on grief and bereavement during the Covid19 outbreak.
National helpline: 0808 808 1677
www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/coronavirus-dealing-bereavement-and-grief
‘Here to Hear’ multi-faith, multi-language Bereavement Service
A compassionate listening service from Faith Star for bereaved families. It's a multi-faith, multi-language pastoral support line for those recently bereaved by Covid-19. Open to all, but particularly focused on supporting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. Call 0333 344 5659.
Activity ideas at home for people living with dementia
Dementia Together online
Ideas of ways to live well with dementia. Topics include routine, music, memory book, photos, sleep, weaving, relaxation, art, physical activity and poetry (new resources are added every week).
Distancing with Dementia: practical resources
Practical ideas for living with dementia (and caring for someone living with dementia) during social distancing. Topics and ideas include staying connected, what matters to you, history, art and music, crafts and hobbies, health and wellbeing, and a blog of new information.
Cultural First Aid Kit: ideas for carers
Creative and fun activities and workshop ideas for carers to use at home. The ideas cover music, storytelling, craft and exercise, and have been tested out in real settings.
www.mminquarantine.com/resources-for-carers
Guide to online activities for older adults during Covid19
Ideas include activities and games on Tablet devices, online newspapers and magazines, livestreams, film, music and TV.
The National Activities Providers Association
All the activities and resources from the National Activity Providers Association are available for free during the Covid-19 crisis.
napa-activities.co.uk/membership/free-resources
BBC Reminiscence Archive
A selection of content from the BBC Archives, designed to support reminiscence therapy. Choose from photos, videos or sound clips and select by theme or decade to prompt conversations.
Museum of Brands
Download activity sheets from the Museum of Brands to inspire reminiscence.
www.museumofbrands.com/brand-memories/#at-home
Organising an online group: Zoom
The Dementia Voices group have created a helpful guide to using Zoom for online gatherings.
Southbank Centre: Arts by Post
Free creative booklets of poetry and visual arts activities which arrive through your letterbox or email inbox. The activities are designed for older adults living with dementia and other chronic health conditions.
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/about/get-involved/arts-wellbeing/art-by-post
Alzheimer’s Society: activity ideas at home
Ideas, links and tips for keeping purposeful when staying at home, to help fight off boredom and frustration.
www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/coronavirus-activity-ideas-people-living-dementia#content-start
Wellbeing pack in isolation
A ready-made pack for those in isolation, created by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. Contains tips, ideas, exercise diagrams, day planners, sleep planners, relaxation ideas, wordsearches, colouring pages and sudoko puzzles.
www.cnwl.nhs.uk/application/files/1115/8618/7460/Wellbeing_pack_for_self_isolation.pdf
Dementia Meeting Centres
Resources and ideas for activities at home including activity kits, puzzles, quizzes, practical ‘making’ activities and nature-based activities.
meetingcentres.wordpress.com/useful-resources
Create it, Share it
The University of Hertfordshire has started 'Create it, Share it', an initiative to support creativity at home by teaming up with artists to give you some fun activities to enjoy. Visit their website for inspiration and share your creations.
Keeping active at home
NHS Sitting Exercises
These gentle, easy-to-follow sitting exercises will help improve mobility and prevent falls, and can even be done at home with just a chair. The instructions (including photos) can be downloaded as a PDF.
www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/sitting-exercises
More More Sheffield: stay in work out
A downloadable and printable booklet about staying active at home, especially for older people.
www.movemoresheffield.com/active-at-home/booklet
NHS Home Workouts
10 minute videos to help you keep fit at home.
www.nhs.uk/oneyou/for-your-body/move-more/home-workout-videos
Joe Wicks for Seniors
- The Body Coach TV: 10 minute home chair workout for seniors: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybVMu31DLQU
- The Body Coach TV: 10 minute home workout for seniors: www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2wp8Ipxn9s
Breathing Exercises
Suggestions of daily breathing exercises from a Peak District physiotherapist. A helpful preventative measure for anyone with respiratory problems or who is prone to getting chest infections.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR51R7QeKcY&feature=youtu.be
Love to Move: seated exercise videos
The British Gymnastics Foundation’s Love to Move programme is an age-friendly and dementia-friendly seated gymnastics programme. You can now try the programme in the comfort of your own home using their online videos.
britishgymnasticsfoundation.org/lovetomove
Chair-based ballet exercise
A dancer from the English National Ballet has produced a video of chair-based exercises for ballet lovers with restricted mobility or limited space.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcNgDtacR6A
SIV
At-home workouts, meal inspiration and wellbeing blogs from Sheffield’s Health and Wellbeing Charity to help you stay active at home and feeing good while its venues are closed.
BBC Sounds: 10 Today – Physical Activity for older people
10 Today is an exercise audio programme from Sport England and Demos designed for older people to protect against poor health and improve mental health and maintain independence.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p087wddm
Sport England: Stay In, Work Out
How to stay active at home includes a section focused on ‘older adults’, as well as plenty of varied ideas for all ages and abilities.
www.sportengland.org/stayinworkout#get_active_at_home
Alzheimer’s Society: 5 ways to keep moving at home
Ideas for gardening, dancing, exercise videos, home versions of sports, and do-it-yourself workouts.
Online music
BBC Music Memories
Use music and create a personal playlist to help people reconnect with their most powerful memories.
Online opera
For anyone who can connect to the internet, you can stream opera for free.
Online musicals
The Shows Must Go On! Full length performances of Andrew Lloyd Weber musicals, online on Youtube at 7pm each Friday (available for 48 hours).
Online reading
Sheffield eLibrary information
Free eBooks, eMagazines, eComics and documentary films from Shef Doc Fest. You can sign up online to the Library if you’re not already a member.
www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/libraries-archives/the-elibrary
Online books
Audible are offering many books free during the corona virus. Audible allows you to listen to books being read aloud.
Online culture
National History Museum online
Take a tour of the National History Museum without having to travel to London.
www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/virtual-museum.html
Online museum tours
Top 10 website have produced a list of museums across the world who are making themselves accessible via virtual tours.
www.top10.com/virtual-museum-tours
National Gallery virtual tour
Three virtual tours allow you to step inside the National Gallery and explore one of the greatest collections of paintings, from the comfort of your home.
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/visiting/virtual-tours
The Louvre art gallery
Go on a virtual tour of the Louvre in France.
www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne
Online theatre
The National Theatre is putting a new show on You Tube weekly on Thursdays at 7pm. You can watch it for a week for free until it is swapped for another show the following week.
Online backstage theatre tours
Sheffield Theatres have lots of backstage films including Kiss Me Kate and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Online sport
BBC: Match of Their Day
BBC Sport is releasing Match of Their Day, where regular Match of the Day pundits pick their favourite matches.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000h9w8
Classic football matches
Watch classic Sheffield Wednesday footballia.net/teams/sheffield-wednesday and Sheffield United matches footballia.net/teams/sheffield-united in full for free.
Virtual nature
Online tour: Kew Gardens
Roam the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and Wakehurst from the comfort of your home. Travel to the tropics, the desert and the mountains with their seasonal footage and take a sneak peek at their glasshouses.
www.kew.org/about-us/virtual-kew-wakehurst
Online gardens: National Garden Scheme
The National Garden Scheme’s website features virtual garden visits.
ngs.org.uk/virtual-garden-visits
Lake District webcams
Visit the Lake District without leaving Sheffield by touring these 50 webcams.
Online world tours
Explore the world from the comfort of your home via various live webcams – watch animals, see the Northern Lights, take a train ride through the snow, ‘visit’ different countries.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-52096529
Online zoo
Watch some of the animals at Edinburgh Zoo on live webcams 24/7. Featuring panda cam, penguin cam, tiger cam and koala cam.
www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/webcams/panda-cam
Online aquarium
View the inhabitants of the Monterey Bay aquarium on their relaxing live and pre-recorded webcams. Featuring fish, otters, penguins, jelly fish and more.
www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams
Heeley City Farm
Watch videos and see photos of the animals at Sheffield’s Heeley City Farm, including lambs, piglets, goats, chinchillas, bees, cows, horses, guinea pigs and more.
www.facebook.com/HeeleyCityFarm
Graves Park Animal Farm
Meet shire horses, Shetland ponies, hens, goats, donkeys, sheep and more in video updates from Sheffield’s Graves Park Animal Farm.