Dedicated vascular dementia support for people in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale

People with vascular dementia in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale will receive specialist support thanks to a new appointment at a local NHS Trust.

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust has taken on a vascular dementia practitioner who is based at The Memory Clinic, located at Watergrove, Birch Hill Hospital in Rochdale.

Vascular dementia is a type of dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, which damages and eventually kills brain cells; sometimes as a result of a large stroke, several smaller strokes or narrowing and hardening of small blood vessels inside the brain.

It affects an estimated 135,000 people in the UK and can be linked to high blood pressure, diabetes and lifestyle factors such as smoking.

The new vascular dementia practitioner is an occupational therapist who will help to ensure patients can experience the best possible quality of life, as there is currently no specific medication available for vascular dementia.

Brigitte Barnes, who has been appointed to the role, will work with the clinic’s existing psychologist and psychology assistant and provide support in a group or one-to-one setting.

This will include occupational therapy assessments, dementia education courses, walking and wellbeing sessions, cook and taste classes and referral to support workers or community facilities to increase social inclusion.

Ms Barnes will also provide education and advice to professionals who support people who are at risk of developing vascular dementia, such as diabetes, stroke and cardiac services.

She said: “I’ve worked with people with dementia for the past eight or nine years, so I hope to bring my experience to help support people to live well with vascular dementia and to help them maintain a good quality of life.

“As there is no medication specifically to treat vascular dementia it’s important that there is follow-up support available for people after diagnosis, which I will provide in this new role.

“I will also work with existing staff to increase awareness of the support available and promote independence as far as possible.”

The Memory Clinic is part of the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Memory Assessment and Treatment Service.