Trafford’s Dementia Strategy 2022-24 provides an overview of our local plans and ambitions to improve dementia care and support for over 3200 people known to have dementia who are currently living in Trafford. We are committed to identifying and diagnosing dementia at an early stage, to enable the right assessment, diagnosis, treatment and support to be offered.

We want local people to feel empowered to live well through their dementia journey, within dementia-friendly communities, and to be supported with important choices and decisions about the future.

In order to do this, we are working closely with partners across the NHS, Trafford Council, GPs and voluntary sector organisations as well as within our neighbourhoods and communities to reduce stigma, and to raise awareness of dementia and the support available, so that people are able to access appropriate information and advice, and can continue to enjoy active and social activities.

Trafford’s Dementia Strategy Group is a partnership of organisations working together to make improvements for people living with dementia and their carers and families, and we are passionate about improving the quality of care and support in response to local needs, and ensuring this is available near to where people live.

If you are experiencing memory problems you are encouraged to make a GP appointment. There may be further investigations to rule out other causes of memory symptoms or cognitive impairment, before a referral to the Trafford Memory Assessment and Treatment Service (MATS). The NHS MATS team will provide a clinical assessment and appropriate diagnosis, and medication may be offered if required. People referred to MATS will also be referred to Age UK Trafford Memory Loss and Dementia Service for advice and support, even while waiting for the outcome of their assessments.

The Age UK Trafford Dementia Advisers are there to offer emotional and practical support to people living with dementia and their carers, with a range of connections to peer support, social and community groups, help to maintain independence, drop-in sessions across Trafford, welfare and benefits advice, wide-ranging expertise - and most of all, time to listen.

Some people may receive a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) rather than dementia, and so Age UK Trafford also offers support especially for those with MCI, such as group activities and information and advice on improving and maintaining brain health.

Here are some contact details you may find useful:

Age UK Trafford | Dementia Services Contact by phone: 0161 746 3944 Contact by email: dementia.adviser@ageuktrafford.org.uk

Trafford Memory Assessment and Treatment Service, for website see here or Contact by phone 0161 358 1390

Trafford Carers Centre, for website click here or call their Helpline (0161 848 2400 option 1) - open from: Monday-Thursday: 9:00am- 8:00pm, Friday- 9:00am- 4:00pm

Local links and contacts last updated: June 2022