There are more than 2,500 people with dementia living locally in the Falkirk area, and we can expect this number to rise as our older population increases and there becomes greater public awareness of the condition.

Falkirk's Joint Dementia Initiative supports people in the local area living with dementia, and their carers, to live independent lives.

If you are concerned about dementia, or would like advice or access to support, there are a range of places and options to turn to.

To receive support from the Joint Dementia Initiative, you need to receive an assessment and referral from Social Work services.

You can request an assessment and discuss your needs with Adult Social Work Services:

Adult Social Work Services

Support and services available in the Falkirk area include:

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Home from Home

Providing the chance to meet people with similar experiences in small groups, the Home from Home Service is hosted by an Adult Placement Carer either in their home or within the community.

Activities can be in the house or within the community, usually involving morning coffee and lunch between 10am and 3pm. We can arrange transport from your home, either by taxi or voluntary driver.

You can find out more about the service, and read testimonials of people accessing this support, at Joint Dementia Initiative.


One to One Service

Available to anyone with a diagnosis of dementia and a referral from social work, the one-to-one service offers weekly visits from a support worker to help you manage everyday tasks.

The one-to-one service can help you by:

  • Supporting you to remain involved in the community where you live, such as going shopping, out for coffee, or going to visit a friend.
  • Helping you to pursue hobbies and interests, or try new ones.
  • Providing household support including shopping, preparing meals, taking medication, having a bath, and 'light' house work.
  • Spending time with you in your home to enable your carer to take on other tasks.
  • Offering emotional support to you and your carer.
  • Working together with you and your carer to understand dementia and ways of coping.

You can find out more about the services, and read testimonials of people accessing this support, on the Joint Dementia Initiative webpages.


Group activities

Running several times a week at various times, our group activities offer the chance to meet others, share stories, hobbies and interests with old and new friends.

Groups are led by those who attend them, which allow you to take part in activities which are of interest to you. Activities and sessions are also available for people with dementia and their carers or family, offering respite time for everyone.

We understand the challenges related to living with dementia or caring for someone with dementia. The groups offer support, time away from everyday worries, and time out to chat with others of shared experience, or on a one to one with our Support Workers.

You can refer yourself using the group referral form – which can be signed off by your GP, nurse, or social worker.

You can find out more about group activities, and find a referral form, on the Joint Dementia Initiative webpages.


Support for people aged under 65 with dementia

If you are aged under 65 and have been diagnosed with dementia, we have a range of support options and services you may want to use, including:

Project worker advice

Our full-time project worker can give you, or anyone who cares for you, guidance and support. They can help you and your family understand your condition and identify ways in which you could help each other, such as keeping safe, communicating and creating daily routines.

Support workers

We can arrange for one of our support workers to spend some time with you each week. They can help you maintain your skills and interests and stay in your job, if possible.

Group activities (every second Wednesday)

This group offers support and advice for people who have a diagnosis of early-onset dementia. The group meets every second Wednesday between 12:00pm and 2:00pm. We can give you lots of information and advice and have our own library with books, tapes and DVDs that you can borrow to understand more about dementia.

Partners' group

This group is for partners and carers to get together. We organise activities including art therapy, stress management and relaxation.

For more information about these support options, please contact the Joint Dementia Initiative:

Joint Dementia Initiative

Advice and information

If you, or someone you know, has recently been diagnosed with dementia and you would like to know more about the condition, you can visit the Alzheimer Scotland website for information and support.

Alzheimer Scotland also operate a 24-hour freephone Dementia Helpline. Staffed by trained volunteers, the helpline can help you learn more about:

  • Understanding the illness
  • How to get help locally
  • Maintaining independence
  • Financial and legal matters
  • Rights and entitlements
  • Coping with behaviour
  • Community care
  • Long-stay care
  • Anything else to do with dementia
Dementia Helpline
24-hour freephone

Herbert protocol

You may also wish to take part in the Herbert Protocol scheme, a national programme which encourages carers, family and friends to provide and put together useful information, which can then be used in the event of a vulnerable person going missing.

Families of a person with the condition are asked to download the Herbert Protocol form and provide information such as places of importance to them, often visited places, health issues and places they have been found in the past if reported missing.

Following its introduction in Scotland, the Hebert Protocol has been used many times to trace missing people with dementia and return them home. It is another example of how emergency and care services are working together to keep those with dementia safe.


Complaints and comments

The Joint Dementia Initiative is part of Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership, which is committed to valuing complaints and feedback from staff, people who use our services, and the wider public.

To learn more about making a complaint and how your feedback is handled, please visit Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership complaints.


Contact us

You can find out more about local dementia support in Falkirk on the Joint Dementia Initiative website, or by contacting us on any of the methods below:

Joint Dementia Initiative
Dollar Park
Camelon Road
Falkirk
FK1 5RU

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm