Older people who have mental ill-health and people of all ages who have dementia are supported by our older people's mental health team working with the local health trust.
There are specialised services for:
- people aged over 65 with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder
- adults of any age with dementia
- and the carers who support them
Who can receive help?
We may be able to support people who have one or more of the following symptoms:
- forgetfulness - long and short term memory loss
- difficulty learning new information
- lapses in judgement and behaviour
- decline in social skills and activity
- decline in domestic or personal care abilities
- problems with speaking
- confusion about time and place
- unable to recognise familiar surroundings, relatives and friends
- increased restlessness
- behaviour and emotional upset
- experience of bereavement or a change in life events
- loss of energy and interest in regular activities
- changes in sleep patterns or appetite
- difficulty in concentrating
- feelings of sadness, anxiety, worthlessness or hopelessness
- overly worried about physical health
We can offer these services:
- community support to help people remain safely at home and continue keeping up a hobby, going shopping etc
- home care with trained staff to support people in daily tasks
- day-care, respite care and sitting services
- telecare systems can help someone to live safely in their own home
- residential and nursing care when living at home is no longer possible
Care homes
Residential care is for people who require 24 hour care and are no longer able to live independently.
Dementia residential care is for people with a diagnosed dementia, who require 24 hour care and are not able to live independently.
General nursing care is for people with physical difficulties who need more support than that offered in residential care.
These people usually have a physical condition which needs resident nursing care and a high level of care support.
Dementia nursing care is for people with advanced dementia, where their main difficulties are mental health.
These people may be physically well and quite mobile but have mental health difficulties requiring 24 hour support from qualified staff.
How to get help
Anyone involved can raise concerns about someone's mental health or dementia problem.
A referral will be accepted before a medical diagnosis has been obtained although the team will seek a diagnosis as soon as possible.
Providing advice and or support at the early stage of the illness has been shown to be helpful.
If we are unable to help directly, you will be directed to other sources of help and support.
To make a referral, contact the duty team on (01633) 656656.
A member of staff will then meet you to discuss the situation and assess the person's needs.
The assessment will involve all aspects of the person's life and a plan will be agreed.
If you are a regular carer, your needs can be addressed through a carer’s assessment.
People who have the greatest need will take priority, e.g. those who have unstable episodes or whose memory loss means they are at risk and older people with serious mental health problems will receive a priority response.
Charges
There may be charges for some services, either fixed or dependent on the client’s income and savings.
Charges will be discussed before any service is provided so that no bills are unexpected.
Contact
Contact social services at Newport City Council