Public Notice re. Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Issued 20 March 2020, 17.00 hours

This morning Public Health England outlined further advice on the virus in which they stated that anyone over the age of 70 should be particularly stringent in social distancing measures.  They also specifically identified people with chronic neurological conditions as a high-risk group.

It is therefore with a very heavy heart that the charity has taken the difficult decision to stop delivering its face to face day breaks respite services as of Monday 23^rd March.  It has been a truly awful decision for us to make however we must do what is kindest and most caring in these times for our customers and from a physical health perspective that is to self-isolate.

Please be assured that we are working very closely with each of our day breaks customers and their families so that we can support and help them emotionally and practically during this time and we will continue to do this.

We are continuing to offer a remote Wayfinder Service providing advice, guidance and emotional support to anyone living with dementia and their families and carers by telephone and by email.

Finally, we are in the process of developing as many different things including activities and services as we can to help during this time and will keep releasing statements regularly.

If you need support, or if you’re worried about a friend or family member, please contact us on 01243 888691 or email info@dementia-support.org.uk

No matter what please rest assured that we will be there for people living with dementia locally in whatever capacity we are able.

Please check our website, social media and notices for up-to-date information.

Public Notice re. Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Issued 17th March 2020, 15.00 hours

Last evening the Government outlined new advice on the virus which included the following:

• Everyone should stop non-essential contact with others. This is particularly important for people over 70, those with underlying health conditions and pregnant women
• People should avoid places like pubs, clubs and theatres
• By the weekend, those with the most serious health conditions should be largely shielded from social contact for 12 weeks

Given this advice the charity has taken the difficult decision to stop delivering some of its services for a short period of time.

Services temporarily suspended with immediate effect include:

• Sessional Wellbeing Activities
• Therapies and Hairdressing
• Daisy’s Café including Chatter Tables

We have carefully considered all of our services and believe that we are offering care and support to some people who really cannot manage without them and especially so during difficult times such as these. Accordingly, we have taken the decision as at today’s date, that given the absolute need for the Day Breaks service by some customers and carers that this service will continue all the while;

• We have the staff ratios to care for people safely
• There is no mandatory legislation to self-isolate by Government
• We do not have a case of Covid-19 at Sage House

We have also taken the decision as at today’s date to offer a remote Wayfinder Service providing advice and guidance to anyone living with dementia and their families and carers by telephone and by email. If you need support, or if you’re worried about a friend or family member, please contact us on 01243 888691 or email info@dementia-support.org.uk

Finally, we are currently investigating working closely with other organisations to provide more emotional and practical help and assistance to our local community during this time which we will update upon as plans develop.

No matter what, we will be there for people living with dementia locally in whatever capacity we are able.

Please check our website, social media and notices for up-to-date information.

Sally Tabbner
CEO
www.dementia-support.org.uk
@DementiaHub (facebook)
@dementia_support (instagram)

Statement on Coronavirus [COVID-19]
Issued 13^th March 2020, 10.30 hours [version 1]

Yesterday, the Government outlined new advice on containing the spread of the Coronavirus which suggested people with a fever or ‘new, continuous’ cough should self-isolate but people in general did not currently need to take this step.

At Dementia Support we are working closely with our partners, including West Sussex County Council, District Councils and Clinical Commissioning Groups to ensure we follow their expert guidance locally, as well as following Government, Public Health England and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice on the Coronavirus.

Our priority is to continue to support and help to protect the people we work with during this difficult time.

Currently, Sage House and all of our services will continue under business as usual. We are following the guidelines and are taking extra precautions, increasing our cleaning procedures, encouraging hand washing/sanitation and making tissues and hand sanitiser readily available throughout our premises.

We will not close Sage House unless it is absolutely necessary, as we know it is useful for many and a lifeline for some.

No matter what, we will be there for people living with dementia locally in whatever capacity we are able. We will adapt our services where necessary to continue offering emotional and practical help to people locally and will endeavour to continue caring for our most vulnerable customers. This will include things like phone calls and email communication to help those self-isolating and practical help where we can.

Finally, if you are self-isolating and need support, or if you’re worried about a friend or family member during this time, please contact us on 01243 888691 or email info@dementia-support.org.uk

We appreciate that this is a worrying time but please rest assured that Dementia Support will remain open unless absolutely necessary.

Sally Tabbner,

Chief Executive