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Jersey Memory Assessment Service

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and available supportJersey Memory Assessment ServiceThis booklet is for people who have been referred to the Jersey Memory Assessment Service. It outlines what to expect and the support available after you have been referred.Health and Care Jersey

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Welcome to the Jersey Memory Assessment ServiceYou will have been referred to our service by your general practitioner or another professional.Our service meets with people when there is a question about memory or cognition (attention, language, comprehension, reasoning).Clinic appointmentsWhen you come to our clinic, you will meet with a member of our team. They will ask you questions about your memory, your physical health, your mood, your daily activities and interests. This will help us to understand any diculties you are having and how these aect you in your everyday life. During this appointment we will also complete some assessments.It often helps to invite someone who knows you well to join you at this appointment. This person should be someone you are happy to share your personal information with.We recommend that you bring to the appointment:• glasses (including reading glasses)• hearing aids• an up to date list of your medications.2

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AssessmentsAssessments usually include:• a cognitive assessment• routine physical investigations (height, weight, blood pressure).Cognitive assessmentsThis will involve answering some questions and completing some activities designed to test your memory and cognition (attention, language, comprehension, reasoning).These assessments are usually done in a quiet room with a member of our team. They give us some important information about the things you do well and any tasks that are a little more dicult for you.Routine physical investigationsYour own doctor may have requested that you undertake a blood test, a brain scan and a trace of your heart (electrocardiogram). If these have been completed we will look at the results and discuss them with you.If these have not been done, we may ask for them to be carried out.Home visitsOften as part of the assessment we may arrange to meet with you at home. This allows us to speak with you about any diculties you are having in a place you feel comfortable. It can also help us understand what support may be benecial for you. On some occasions we may complete a cognitive assessment with you at your home.3 DiagnosisIf you would like to know your diagnosis following the assessments, we will share this with you. We may be able to do this at your rst clinic appointment. In some cases we may need to gather extra information. Once we have this information we will invite you back to a further clinic appointment.

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4Information and SupportWe regularly hold educational sessions at the Enid Quenault Health & Wellbeing Centre. These provide information to support your cognitive health, such as:• keeping t and active • techniques to support memory • managing emotions • thinking about the future.Once your initial support plan is in place, we will meet with you to discuss your ongoing support. This may be provided by your GP or another department within Health and Care Jersey.Follow-upAfter your assessment we will discuss what extra support and information may be suitable.Our team consists of:• Doctor• Psychologist• Nurses• Support worker• Occupational therapist.You may meet with some or all of the team depending upon your and your family’s needs.You may be oered a functional assessment, and your spouse/family member may be oered a carer’s assessment. If you require additional support at home, a referral can be made on your behalf to a Social Worker.If you are prescribed medication by the Jersey Memory Assessment Service, we will keep in contact with you to check how this is working.

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5Memory Assessment Service (MAS) StaSpecialist DoctorThe Specialist Doctor conducts initial assessments, communicates the diagnosis and discusses treatment options.Nurse Practitioners & Clinical Nurse SpecialistThe Nurses are involved with initial assessments for patients over the age of 65 and they run the follow-up clinic. The Nurses provide advice and support regarding a range of topics, including the commencement of anti-dementia medication.Support WorkerThe Support Worker provides input throughout the patient’s journey in the MAS. Some examples of the Support Worker’s role include: monitoring blood pressure when a patient starts an anti-dementia medication, medication management at home and facilitating Cognitive Stimulation Therapy.Clinical PsychologistThe Clinical Psychologist may be involved with initial assessments The Clinical Psychologist also receives referrals to complete in-depth cognitive assessments with patients, especially when the diagnosis is not clear.Occupational TherapistThe Occupational Therapist (OT) completes functional assessments in the patient’s home to better understand how cognitive changes aect their day-to-day activities. The OT aims to reduce risks while enabling patients to maintain their independence. The OT can help patients to work towards specic goals and provide advice regarding assistive technology.For more information scan this QR code to visit our website page

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I have been referred to the Memory Assessment Service (MAS).What happens next?6I have been referred to MAS by my doctor. My doctor will arrange a set of investigations in preparation for my visit to MAS.In my initial visit to MAS I will be seen by a doctor and another member of the sta (e.g. nurse, clinical psychologist, etc.).Please allow 60-90 minutes for this.An Initial appointment letter is sent out to me132

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7Depending on my initial assessment and treatment plan, another follow-up appointment might be oered.I will be discharged from MAS. My care will be transferred back to my GP and any other required services.I will have a follow up appointment approximately 3 months later. Please allow 30-60 minutes for this.5 64The Memory Assessment Service (MAS) is a service specialised in the assessment and diagnosis of dementia. It also provides short-term post-diagnostic support. Patients are typically involved in the MAS for an approximate period of 6 months (or longer based on individual presentations and needs).It often helps to invite someone who knows you well to join you at the appointment. This person should be someone you are happy to share your personal information with. We recommend you bring your glasses (including reading glasses) and hearing aids.

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8Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST)CST is an intervention to support cognitive function for people with mild to moderate dementia. In the group setting, patients participate in a 14 week programme, meeting once a week. CST can also be facilitated 1:1 in the person’s home. Research has demonstrated that CST can help to improve quality of life and benet memory and thinking skills for people with mild-to-moderate dementia.Post-Diagnostic Education Group (PDG)The PDG is a group for carers and relatives of our patients who are diagnosed with dementia. Information is provided about the symptoms of dementia, communicating with someone who has dementia, advanced care planning, making the home environment dementia-friendly and more. The nal session of the PDG is a summary session for both people with dementia and their carers or relatives.Memory Assessment Service (MAS) Groups

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9Advice and SupportDementia Advice is a service provided by Dementia Jersey which gives people the chance to talk with a trained professional about any subject related to dementia. This can be with or without the person with symptoms being present and can be for just a brief chat or for support over a much longer time.CounsellingCounselling is a talking therapy that gives you the opportunity to speak in condence and at depth to a trained professional who will help you explore any thoughts, feelings or worries about the future that are troubling you. Talking things through in this way can bring more clarity to situations made complicated due to dementia and troubling thoughts and feelings. This can then help you feel stronger and more condent to help you nd a way ahead. You can see a counsellor for just one session or for several sessions over several weeks, with sessions usually lasting about an hour.Please ask the team at MAS for a copy of our “Guide to our Services”Dementia Jersey is a local charity who supports people every step of the journey with dementia. Our Dementia Advisors oer practical advice and support to people with symptoms of dementia and their families. For those with a diagnosis we also oer support groups, a range of therapeutic activities as well as training for family carers. Here is a brief guide to these key services. Find out more at www.dementia.je

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10Carers’ supportEach month we host a range of Carers Support Meetings for family and friends who are caring for someone with a diagnosis of dementia. Meetings take place in a variety of venues and at dierent times. They are held in a relaxed setting and include refreshments and the chance for you to meet with other carers. Dementia Advisors are also on hand at each meeting for an informal chat and to answer any questions. The Meeting Place ProjectMany people with a diagnosis of dementia want to nd ways to cope with these symptoms, look for ways to stay healthy and stimulate their memory and thinking skills. This is why we’ve created The Meeting Place Project which oers varied sessions that provide an opportunity to share experiences and talk with other people in similar situations. We also explore ways to stimulate memory and thinking skills, build self-esteem and keep our bodies healthy.ActivitiesWe provide a range of therapeutic activities to hundreds of people with dementia and their carers every year. We cater for those with a recent diagnosis as well as those in later stages of their dementia journey. Our activities are the result of evidence based research which show benets to people with dementia and aim to relieve stress and reduce anxiety, but also to be uplifting and joyous.

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Find out more by calling 01534 723519 or go to www.demena.je/boostyourbrainChallenge your brain!Stay Close, Stay StrongMove, Nourish, Thrive!Keeping the mind, and therefore the brain, acve is important for brain health and reducing the risk of developing demena.Social acvity may help prevent or delay demena by reducing stress, enhancing mood, and providing mental smulaon.One of the main messages from our Boost Your brain campaign is what’s good for your heart is good for your brain.Take our Big Brain QuizScan this QR codeto take the quizReduce your risk of dementiaReduce your risk of dementiaReduce your risk of dementiaReduce your risk of dementiaUp to 45% of cases can be avoidedto help reduce your risk

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The Jersey Memory Assessment ServiceThe Enid Quenault Health & Wellbeing Centre Les Quennevais Park La Route des Quennevais JE3 8JWTel: +44 (0)1534 444830Scan QR code to visit Memory Assessment Service website pageScan QR code to visit Dementia Jersey websiteContact InformationMarch 202574 Halkett PlaceSt HelierJerseyJE2 4WHTel: +44 (0)1534 723519Email: info@dementia.jeWeb: www.dementia.jeHealth and Care Jersey