Through individual assessment and patient-focused care planning, our specialist nurses identify challenges and set goals to help manage a patient’s changing symptoms and improve their wellbeing.

Our team also support families and caregivers with essential everyday skills and knowledge, and aim to prepare everyone for the transition to end-of-life care. Our team is skilled at identifying the underlying causes of changes in a patient’s behaviour which can often relate to unexpressed pain, from which they can provide advice and guidance to other services, including a patient’s GP.

SUPPORTING DEMENTIA CARERS

The Dementia team recognise the challenges of caring for someone living with advanced dementia, including the effect it can have on their wellbeing. Teaming up with the Hospice’s Family Support service, we host support groups for those caring for loved ones with dementia.

These groups are aimed at giving carers some important self-care opportunities, and benefit from the lived and learned experiences of others in an empathetic and emotionally safe environment and create an invaluable support network.

Our Dementia Carers Support Group is unique in that while caregivers attend the group, we provide activities and support for their loved one in the safe environment of the Hospice.

AFTER DEMENTIA CAFE: SUPPORT IN BEREAVEMENT

People react to the loss of a loved one with dementia in different ways, often initiating the grieving process even before the person dies. To assist those recently bereaved caregivers, we extend an invitation to a special group session which is designed to explore the feelings of grief and offer practical coping strategies.

It is also an opportunity to guide people to access additional emotional support with our Family Support service and the wider community.

DEMENTIA CAFE

Enabling dementia patients and their carers to make the most out of life together, Willow Wood Hospice hosts a twice-monthly Dementia Café. The afternoon is all about music, crafts, food, friends, and laughter, as well as making new connections and enjoying life.

HOW TO ACCESS OUR SERVICES

Willow Wood’s Dementia services can be accessed through a GP or another healthcare professional or by calling 0161 330 1100.

Patients and carers can also self-refer by speaking directly to a member of the Dementia team at the Hospice.

Our Dementia service is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Our Dementia team cares for adults aged 18 years and over and who have been diagnosed with advanced dementia, regardless of their gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or diagnosis. We are proud to be recognised as a ‘Homeless Friendly’ hospice.

For our latest Dementia Support leaflet, you can browse a digital version by clicking below or click here to download a printable version.