Dementia care
At Heart of Kent Hospice we provide award-winning specialist dementia support services for patients and their families living with dementia.
We recognise that seeing people early in their diagnosis means that we can help them live well and independently for as long as they can.
If you’re worried that you or a member of your family has symptoms of dementia, or if you have been diagnosed with dementia, or are supporting a friend or family member with dementia - we can help you. We empower people affected by dementia to carry on their chosen lifestyle. We equip people with knowledge and practical support to live well with dementia and we also understand the impact of dementia on family and friends.
Our services are free and anyone can refer to us, if you live in Maidstone, Aylesford, Tonbridge & Malling and surrounding areas.
To find out more about our services and how we could offer support, please get in touch with our Dementia Team on 01622 792200 or by emailing hospicedementiaservice@hokh.co.uk.
Working to become Dementia Friendly
Heart of Kent Hospice are proud to announce that all of our Hospice colleagues have undertaken Dementia training irrespective of their role being clinical or non-clinical. We take seriously our pledges of improving dementia knowledge to enable people living with dementia to live well in our community. This has earnt us accreditation as part of the Working to become Dementia Friendly scheme.
We're here to help
Our Dementia Team provide care and support for people and their families affected by all forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s. We have the time to listen and the expertise to solve problems, helping patients and their families to live well with dementia.
As dementia specialists, we help families manage complex needs and deliver our care and support considering the needs and wishes of the person living with dementia and the people around them. Through developing a care plan, regular assessments and discussion we help patients and their families to understand and manage change, enabling everyone to live well.
How can I be referred?
Following a diagnosis of dementia your GP, health or social care professional can make a referral to local services to help develop a care plan. We proactively encourage referrals from the point of diagnosis and are currently the only Hospice in West Kent that GPs, health or social care professionals can refer to for specialist dementia care.
People living with dementia and their carers can make a self-referral by calling our Dementia Team on 01622 792200. Our early referral process to our dementia services enables patients, their carers and family to access tailored support, care planning and treatment sooner.
You can also refer yourself or a loved one using our referral form by clicking the link below. We will then make contact with you and any healthcare professionals involved in your care.
Make a referral
The Dementia Team gave us such a better understanding of our mum’s diagnosis; what to expect and how best to look after her. Their ongoing support and advice is invaluable.
The team at the Hospice are really passionate in their desire to help people with dementia to maintain their independence and to prevent crises and needless hospital admissions. They give expert advice, practical assistance, and comfort wherever our patients live. They support carers to cope better, preparing them for how the illness will progress. They work closely with other healthcare professionals and services to provide a joined-up approach to each patient’s care in a way which is personalised to the needs of each individual.
Dementia Café
Our Dementia Café takes place on the first Saturday of the month in the Hospice from 10.30am to 12.30pm. It is open to everyone. You do not need to be a patient of Heart of Kent Hospice to come along. This Hub service is available to family members coping with the challenges of dementia and those who might not have been diagnosed yet.
There is no need to book or pre-register, just turn up.
Our team of dementia trained volunteers will welcome you to the Hospice with free tea, coffee and biscuits. Dementia Nurse Specialists will also be available to provide support, information and advice. There is also the opportunity for a person with dementia to speak with other people with a diagnosis for peer support and likewise for carers to gain peer support also. In addition, we have two Pets as Therapy (PAT) dogs who are well received.
You can find out more information by contacting the Dementia Team on 01622 792200 or by emailing hospicedementiaservice@hokh.co.uk.
Making Memories©
We have developed a six-week programme that provides patients with enjoyable activities for cognitive stimulation, which help to keep the brain active. Each session includes a social lunch and an opportunity to share experiences with others. Carers are given the opportunity to meet separately to talk, while their loved ones are cared for, to ask questions and receive emotional and practical support from our Hospice Dementia Team and each other.
To find out more about this pre-booked course please contact the Dementia Team on 01622 792200 or email hospicedementiaservice@hokh.co.uk.
Making Memories is brilliant! This will keep more dementia patients at home and out of care homes, as it gives carers the emotional and practical help and support to keep them going.
Dementia Carers Group
Our Dementia Carers Group is held on the second Friday of every month, 11:00am -12:30pm. You may not think of yourself as a carer, particularly if the person with dementia is a partner, parent, or close friend, but it is likely you will need support to cope with their symptoms and changes in behaviour.
The group provides an opportunity for carers to chat about the support they need, whether that’s help with knowledge or training to maintain their caring role or advice on accessing financial support. We recognise needs and support you with the challenges you might face.
If you are interested in attending this group, please contact the Dementia Team on 01622 792200 or by emailing hospicedementiaservice@hokh.co.uk.
Inpatient Unit Dementia care
Our 10 inpatient rooms can be converted into a dementia friendly environment with our bespoke dementia kits. The kits include signage for the rooms and ensuite bathrooms, clocks displaying the time, day, month and year, and alarm equipment so colleagues are alerted if someone leaves their bed or room. In addition, all colleagues and volunteers on our Inpatient Unit are trained specifically in caring for people with dementia.
A Kent dementia helpline
0800 500 3014
Call between 9:00am – 5:00pm, Monday – Friday to speak to a member of our Dementia Team.
It’s free to call from mobile phones as well as landlines.
The helpline is open 24-hours, seven days a week.
Out of the core hours, you can leave a message and ask for a call back, or your call can be transferred to Mental Health Matters.
The helpline is there to offer support and advice for people living with dementia and their family or carers wherever you live in Kent. You can call with any questions, for example if you have concerns over medication or symptoms, if you need advice, are wondering what other support services might be available to you locally, or if you just need a friendly listening ear.
How we can help with end-stage dementia
Discussing end-of-life wishes with family members and the care team can be difficult and emotional. But it is important for end-of-life wishes to be shared. A patient’s end-of-life wishes should include how they would like to experience care in the final stage of their illness. Our Hospice services, also known as palliative care, focus on bringing comfort, self-respect, and peace to the final stage of life in an environment of the patient’s choosing – whether in the Hospice, in their own homes or care home. It’s their choice.
As a team we aim to ensure that symptoms and pain are controlled and that goals of care are discussed and honoured. We work together to address physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our patients as well as being there to support family.
David and Karen's Story
When Karen was diagnosed with early-onset dementia our specialist Dementia Team were able to provide advice and support to both Karen and her husband David. In this video David shares their story. He explains how he learnt more about the work of the Hospice, the essential support he received as a carer, and how with this support their family were able to have one special last Christmas together.
Contact us
If you would like further information about our Hospice care services, ideas for fundraising or any aspect of our work, please do not hesitate to contact us on the details here or fill in the Contact us form.