Mental Health Service for Older People Community Mental Health Teams

What does our service do?

Our mental health services for older people provide assessment, care planning and treatment services for people who have dementia or dementia-type illness such as Alzheimer's (known as organic disorders), and older people (generally over the age of 65) with functional mental health problems such as depression or bi-polar disorder.

The majority of the people we see will also have some physical health needs or other age related issues.

The Community Mental Health Teams are the first point of access for most people who use mental health services for older people.

How does our service work?

Once you have been referred to us, we will write to you to offer you an appointment. During the first session we will start the assessment process and discuss an appropriate package of care to meet your needs. This initial session is also an opportunity for people to talk about their thoughts, anxieties and expectations, and for us to be able to answer any questions and provide information.

We have nine teams which include consultant psychiatrists, community psychiatric nurses, healthcare support workers, occupational therapists, clinical psychologists, voluntary services and physiotherapists. They work alongside social services staff to offer a specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment service and a therapeutic care plan. Contacts and intervention may vary greatly depending on an individual's level of need and treatment regime.

We provide care in:

people's own homes, including residential and nursing homes
outpatient clinics
day hospitals
community hospitals
GP surgeries

How can you access our service?

To access our service you can:

speak to your GP
speak to any other healthcare professional involved in your care.

Support Groups

One of our Community Mental Health Teams also supports a Dementia Café. The dementia café is a support group for anyone whose life is affected by memory difficulties. It is run by those who attend, together with Age UK and our team in Oadby, Wigston and Market Harborough.

Once a month people with dementia, their family members, friends and other interested parties including healthcare staff, get together to share information and experiences over a cup of coffee and a cake. The group helps people to make social contacts and provides support in relation to the practical and emotional aspects of having dementia or giving care.

The café meets at 11am on the last Tuesday of every month at the Parklands, Leisure Centre, Oadby. A second café has recently been launched in Market Harborough. For further information, contact voluntary services organiser Alan Halford on 0116 2255700.

Dementia Cafe Programme Booklet