Important Resources and Contacts for Dementia Care

Navigating dementia care can feel overwhelming, especially while you’re also dealing with the emotional side of watching a loved one’s condition change. Knowing where to turn for reliable information, practical support and compassionate guidance makes a real difference.

We’ve put together this reference guide to help families in Harlow, Epping Forest and beyond find the support they need — from national charities and NHS services to local organisations and legal guidance. You don’t have to work this out alone; there’s a lot of support available, and this is meant to make it easier to find.

National Dementia Charities and Helplines

Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity, offering information, support and advocacy for people living with dementia and their carers. Their Dementia Connect Support Line is on 0333 150 3456 (9am–11pm weekdays, 9am–5pm weekends), and their website, www.alzheimers.org.uk, includes local support groups, online communities and the Dementia Friends programme, plus a Dementia Directory for finding services in your area.

Dementia UK runs the Admiral Nurse Service — specialist dementia nurses who support families through every stage of the journey. Their Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline is 0800 888 6678 (Mon–Fri 9am–9pm, weekends 9am–5pm), and it’s a free, confidential service for anyone affected by dementia. More at www.dementiauk.org.

Alzheimer’s Research UK funds scientific research into dementia and publishes accessible, evidence-based information, including guidance on risk reduction and the different types of dementia, at www.alzheimersresearchuk.org.

Age UK offers a wide range of services for older people and their families, including dementia care advice — benefits advice, home help, companionship and care navigation among them. Their National Helpline is 0800 678 1602, free and available 8am–7pm every day of the year, and locally you can reach Age UK Hertfordshire at www.ageuk.org.uk/hertfordshire.

NHS Dementia Services and Pathways

If you’re concerned a family member may be showing symptoms of dementia, your GP is always the right first step. They can carry out an initial memory assessment, refer to a local memory clinic or specialist, rule out other causes such as vitamin deficiencies or thyroid problems, and help coordinate ongoing care and support for both the person with dementia and their family carer.

Memory clinics are the specialist NHS services responsible for assessing and diagnosing dementia. In the Harlow and Epping Forest area, referrals go through your GP — relevant services include the West Essex Memory Service, Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (www.pah.nhs.uk), and Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (www.eput.nhs.uk).

If your loved one has complex needs arising from dementia, they may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) — a care package fully funded by the NHS. Eligibility is assessed by a clinical team based on the nature, complexity and intensity of the person’s needs; ask your GP or care coordinator to request an assessment, or read more at nhs.uk.

For urgent, non-emergency health advice at any time, NHS 111 is available 24/7 by phone on 111 or online at www.111.nhs.uk.

Support for Family Carers

Carers UK is the leading national charity for unpaid carers, offering information, advice and a strong collective voice for the millions of people caring for a family member or friend. Their helpline is 0808 808 7777 (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm, free), and their website, www.carersuk.org, includes a benefits calculator worth checking to see what financial support you may be entitled to.

Essex Carers’ Support provides local support to unpaid carers across Essex, including Harlow and Epping Forest — carer assessments, respite support, information and wellbeing activities are all available through www.essexcarers.co.uk.

As a family carer, you also have a legal right to a Carer’s Assessment from your local council, which looks at your own needs and wellbeing and can unlock further support. Essex County Council’s Adult Social Care team can arrange one on 0345 603 7630, or via www.essex.gov.uk/adult-social-care. It’s free, and if you’re caring for someone with dementia, it’s well worth requesting.

Legal and Financial Support

Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) while your loved one still has mental capacity is one of the most important steps a family can take — it allows a trusted person to make decisions on their behalf over property and financial affairs, and health and welfare. Registration is handled by the Office of the Public Guardian (www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney, 0300 456 0300); there’s a registration fee, though those on low incomes may be exempt.

People living with dementia and their carers may also be entitled to a range of benefits and financial support, including Attendance Allowance (for those over 65 needing help with personal care), Personal Independence Payment (PIP, for those under 65), Carer’s Allowance, Council Tax Reduction, and the NHS Low Income Scheme for help with health costs. Citizens Advice (www.citizensadvice.org.uk, 0800 144 8848) and the Turn2Us Benefits Calculator (www.turn2us.org.uk) are both good places to check what applies to your situation.

It’s also worth helping the person with dementia make their wishes known while they still have capacity to do so — making or updating a Will, creating an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (sometimes called a Living Will), completing an Advance Statement of wishes and preferences, and registering any Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) wishes with their GP if appropriate.

Local Resources — Harlow & Epping Forest

As specialist dementia care providers in Harlow and Epping Forest, Caremark Harlow & Epping Forest is always here to help families work through their care options — call us on 01279 210123. Alongside dementia care, we also provide personal and home care, companionship care, respite care and disability care.

Princess Alexandra Hospital, the main NHS hospital serving the area, is at Hamstel Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1QX (01279 444455, www.pah.nhs.uk). For information on local care services, financial assessments and support for vulnerable adults, Harlow Council’s Adult Social Care team can be reached on 01279 446655 (www.harlow.gov.uk), and residents in the Epping Forest area can contact Epping Forest District Council on 01992 564000 (www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk).

Connecting with others who understand the experience of dementia is genuinely valuable. The Alzheimer’s Society runs local groups in Harlow (call 0333 150 3456 for details), Age UK Hertfordshire is another good starting point (www.ageuk.org.uk/hertfordshire), and your GP or local library can usually point you toward community dementia cafes in your area.

Useful Online Resources

A few more places worth bookmarking:

• Alzheimer’s Society — Dementia Guide
• NHS — Dementia Information
• Dementia UK — Factsheets
• Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)
• Dementia Talking Point — an online community
• NICE Guidelines on Dementia

It’s worth bookmarking this page and sharing it with anyone else involved in your loved one’s care — having one central reference point saves time when support is needed in a hurry.

How Caremark Harlow & Epping Forest Can Help

At Caremark Harlow & Epping Forest, we see ourselves as more than a care provider — we want to be a trusted partner for families navigating the dementia journey. We can help you understand your options, point you toward the right local resources, and provide specialist dementia care that lets your loved one live safely and with dignity at home.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking for extra support along the way, we’re here to listen. Call us on 01279 210123 for a free, no-obligation conversation about how we can help your family.