Primarily the service works with people under the age of 65 who are experiencing degenerative memory loss due to illnesses such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Vascular Dementia and Fronto-Temporal dementia. We also see people with Weirnickes–Korsakoff disease (sometimes known as ARBD – Alcohol Related brain Damage), and memory problems following substance abuse so as long as they abstain.
The service works with younger people with dementia, their families and carers to provide a person-centered assessment and ongoing treatments that are needs based. This at times can be difficult as the needs of younger people with dementia can differ from both those of older people with dementia, and younger people with other mental health problems. There is also little in the way of age and needs appropriate services for young people with dementia within Birmingham, so the team help to fill an important gap in local service provision. They also jointly work with other teams in a consultative capacity, and have links with a wide variety of statutory and voluntary providers.
Each month the service runs ‘Al’s Café’, a group for younger people with dementia, and their families and carers to meet in a supportive social environment, which is a mixture of education, information and developing social support. There is also a city-wide carers support group which meets monthly.
The service is regularly called on to present and teach both locally and at a national level and are involved in research and service development. In 2003 they were a finalist in the Department of Health Health and Social Care Awards.
The service also has a remit to undertake education and influence local policy and service provision relating to the needs of younger people with dementia. We are working in partnership with Birmingham City Council's Adults and Communities directorate, local Primary Care Trusts, service users, carers and the Alzheimer’s Society both within Birmingham and nationally to help shape policy.
