Dementia friendly borough

The symptoms of dementia can include loss of memory, confusion and difficulties with thinking things through, problem-solving and language. Sometimes people are affected by changes in mood or behaviour which is out of character.

You should seek medical advice immediately if your memory loss is affecting daily life, and especially if you:

• struggle to remember recent events, although you can easily recall things that happened in the past
• find it hard to follow conversations or programmes on TV
• forget the names of friends or everyday objects
• cannot recall things you have heard, seen or read
• lose the thread of what you are saying
• have problems thinking and reasoning
• feel anxious, depressed or angry
• feel confused even when in a familiar environment or get lost on familiar journeys
• find that other people start to notice or comment on your memory loss

You can find out more about dementia symptoms on the NHS website.

Dementia services in Croydon

There are 2 dementia day centres managed by Croydon Council:

Langley Oaks Specialist Day Centre

Langley Oaks has one unit providing 16 places daily.

2 Langley Oaks Avenue 
South Croydon 
CR2 8DH 
Phone: 020 8726 6994

See Langley Oaks Day Centre on Google maps

Marsh and Willow Day Services

Marsh and Willow has two units providing a total of 36 places.

Heavers Resource Centre  
122 Selhurst Road  
London  
SE25 6LL  
Phone: 020 8667 8470

See Marsh and Willow Day Services on Google maps

The dementia day centres support people mainly over 65 who have a diagnosis of dementia, including Alzheimer’s. Residents can meet others to reduce social isolation and engage with others in meaningful activities based on cognitive stimulation therapy to enhance their wellbeing. Both centres have people attending who are at differing stages of dementia.

These facilities also support relatives and carers to help achieve the best possible quality of life for those affected by dementia and themselves.

We aim to provide an environment which is relaxed, sociable and secure.

How to access dementia day services

If you wish to come to one of the dementia centres, a referral must be made via the Adult Social Care online portal or you can start by contacting the council on 020 8726 6500. You can also contact the centres directly to get support on using the online portal. 

To attend the centres people will need to meet the following criteria:

• be a resident within the centre’s area
• have a confirmed medical assessment of dementia
• live alone or with a carer within the community
• be able to walk, or stand, with the help of no more than one person

There is a charge for coming to a dementia centre and a financial assessment will need to be completed. This will be discussed with you.

Once the centres receive the referral we will make contact to arrange an initial screening visit which will happen in the home of the person needing support.

Staff

All staff are trained in NVQ Health and Social Care Level 3 as a minimum, and receive ongoing training.  

Both centres foster a learning environment with staff, students and volunteers being supervised and supported towards a person centred approach to care.

Family support

The dementia centres recognise the significant role of carers and allows carers to get a break from the challenges of caring. They also offer support and advice to individual carers and, groups where carers can meet, and share experiences. 

More services

The Memory Cafe is an opportunity for those living with dementia and their carers to talk, share stories and get to know each other over drinks and snacks. The afternoon offers a session called Singing for the Brain where people affected by dementia can sing songs they know and love in a friendly and fun environment.

Date: Every Thursday (During school term time)
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Cost: £1 person
Venue: Woodside Baptist Church, 27 Spring Lane, South Norwood, SE25 4SP

For more information contact Steve Calder on 07722 192 852.

Additional help and support

• Age UK
• Age UK Croydon: Telephone number - 0208 686 0066         
• Memory Tree Cafe: email address - memorytreecafe@ageukcroydon.org.uk
• Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Connect: 
  Telephone number - 0333 150 3456,  email address - croydon@alzheimers.org.uk
• Carers Support Centre, Telephone number - 0208 649 9339
• Croydon Community Mental Health Team for Older Adults: Telephone number - 0203 228 9531
• Memory Service: Telephone number - 020 3228 9500

All services noted above work closely together to provide the best outcomes for people living with dementia and their carers.