About Us

THE AIMS OF THE DEMENTIA CARERS GROUP

To provide a quality service for the benefit of people with dementia and Carers
To continually strive to improve the quality of care, support and opportunities given to Service Users and Carers
To maximise Service User and Carer involvement in line with our policy on Inclusion and Participation
To use our homely environment for the provision of personalised care and as a base for regular trips and outings
To be flexible in responding to the needs and choices of Service Users and Carers
That the ratio of Service Users to direct care staff will not exceed 3:1
To work in partnership with other Groups and Organisations for the benefit of people with dementia and Carers
To ensure that care provided meets or exceeds the National Health and Social Care Standards

OUR PRINCIPLES

PRINCIPLE ONE: People with dementia have the same human values as anyone else, irrespective of their degree of disability or dependence
PRINCIPLE TWO: People with dementia have the same varied needs as anyone else
PRINCIPLE THREE: People with dementia have the same rights as other citizens unless restricted by a legal process (and then only to the extent allowed by the law)
PRINCIPLE FOUR: Every person with dementia is an individual
PRINCIPLE FIVE: People with dementia have the right to forms of support which do not exploit family and friends

BACKGROUND

Formed in December 1990 by the Carers of people with dementia. Not for profit, registered charity, run by a voluntary management committee. Provide high-quality personalised care for people with dementia, and support for carers. Provide information, advice and training to the general public and other organisations.

OUR CARE PROVISION

We are the only charity in East Kilbride providing this kind of service!

Our daycare is based in a small homely building, which makes it appear more like ‘visiting a friend’ than attending a centre! We have a high ratio of staff and volunteers to Service Users, meaning that we can spend plenty of time with each individual who attends; getting to know them, their likes and dislikes, and building up careplans that are unique to each individual. More importantly… building relationships with them, earning their trust, and supporting them.

Within daycare, we provide a wide range of activities, including: Reminiscence, Arts & Crafts, Quizzes, Music Therapy, board games, hairdressing, gentle exercises, indoor golf, bingo, dancing, and karaoke.

We also have our own fully accessible mini-bus with wheelchair access, and regularly go on trips and outings. These include places like: Local Cafés; Luss; Troon; Ayr; Callander; The Transport Museum; Strathclyde Park; Blair Drummond Safari Park; The Kelpies; The Falkirk Wheel; Maidens; Lunch outings; Picnics; Fish suppers by the seaside; and barge trips along the Forth & Clyde Canal. We have even had people in their 80’s on an Astraglide; the swings; and on the dodgems!

Each year, we carry out over 300 trips and outings with the people we are privileged to support. A Number of these have been on a one-to-one basis. 1 on 1 outings have included escorting people: for a haircut; to football matches; to concerts; on shopping trips; hospital visits; to church; to visit friends; and simply out to share coffee and a scone!

Our 4-weekly Service User forums ensure that we listen to the people who use our service and respond to their needs, wishes and preferences.

We regularly give people photographs of themselves on trips and outings to help them capture the moment and to allow family and friends to share in the happiness of the experience. It’s amazing how seeing a picture of yourself enjoying yourself can put a smile on your face!

INFORMATION, ADVICE & TRAINING

We are happy to provide information, advice and training to carers, people with dementia, groups, care-workers and members of the general public.

In accordance with our Aims and Objectives, we are happy to provide this service free of charge. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this further or take advantage of this service.

CARERS SUPPORT

As our Group was originally formed by Carers, we regard supporting Carers as an important part of our service provision.

Our Memory Café meets on the second Wednesday of every month. Details are on our homepage.
This is for people living with dementia and their carers to attend jointly, or for Carers to attend on their own.

Meetings are open to anyone who would like to attend, whether or not you are receiving other services from us, and are a mixture of Informal meetings, guest speakers, and social events; each aimed to inform and support Carers of people with dementia.

We aim to support Carers through our Memory Café; 1-1 meetings in our centre; phone & e-mail support; provision of respite by supporting their loved ones; review meetings & social events.

STATISTICS – THIS CONCERNS US ALL!

Dementia
There are currently estimated to be over 57 million people worldwide living with dementia. (www.alzheimers.org.uk, Oct 2024)

The number of people affected is set to rise to 152.8 million by 2050. (www.alzheimers.org.uk, Oct 2024)

A new case of dementia arises somewhere in the world every 3 seconds. (www.alzint.org Oct 2024)

In total, an estimated 900,000 people in the UK have dementia. This will soar to about 1.6 million by 2040. (www.alzheimers.org.uk, Oct 2024)

It is estimated that there over 90,000 people in Scotland living with dementia, (around 3,000 under 65) and that the figure is expected to double in just one generation. (Alzheimer’s Scotland, Oct 2024)

Of the 32 Local Authority areas in Scotland, South Lanarkshire has the fourth highest prevalence of dementia, with only Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fife having more.
East Kilbride has the highest prevalence in South Lanarkshire. (Alz Scotland, Oct 2024)

Dementia is one of the main causes of disability later in life, ahead of cancer, cardiovascular disease and stroke. As a country we spend much less on dementia than on these other conditions. (www.alzheimers.org.uk, Oct 2024)

Carers
There are approximately 800,000 adult carers in Scotland.
By 2037 the number of carers in Scotland will have increased to around 1 million.
Approximately 250,000 people juggle caring with holding down a job.
Every year over 160,000 take on a caring role.
132,000 people care for 50 hours a week or more.
3 in 5 of us will become carers at some point in our lives. (www.carersuk.org/scotland Oct 2024)

The need for flexible person-centred care has never been greater, and yet we are the only voluntary sector daycare provider in East Kilbride for people with dementia.

Since first providing daycare in 1993, the Group has provided over 350,000 hours of care and support to people with dementia. Currently 13,000 annually.

Information Sheet and statistics

ABOUT US

We are a not for profit registered charity, run by an unpaid volunteer management committee that has been providing high-quality personalised care for people with dementia since 1990, as well as offering support to the carers of those with dementia. We also provide information, advice and training to the general public and other organisations to help give a better understanding of dementia.

INFORMATION

USEFUL LINKS
JUST FOR FUN

HEAD OFFICE

169 Pine Crescent
Greenhills
East Kilbride
G75 9HJ

t: 01355 244123
e: info@dementiacarers.co.uk

2025 © East Kilbride & District Dementia Carers Group
CHARITY NUMBER: SC018844 | COMPANY NUMBER: SC377236
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