Dementia Community Support and Information: Referral Route for GPs

Author: Amelia Stockdale (contact is Liz Tooke, Project Manager, Sheffield ICB)

Date published: June 2025

Date for review: June 2027

Description:

Please open and use the PDF flow-diagrams below. 

1. (65s and over) Dementia community non-medical referral routes – for use by GPs in Sheffield [PDF]

·       Information and advice through Dementia Advice Sheffield (DAS). Dementia Advice Sheffield Referral Form.

·       Memory Cafés, Dementia-Friendly Groups and wellbeing phonecalls through People Keeping Well Dementia support.  Refer via Dementia Advice Sheffield (see links above).

·       Dementia Short Term Intervention Service (DSTIS): See 4. and download DSTIS Referral Form below.

·       Dementia Day Activities. Refer via Age UK Sheffield if no existing care package. Refer via Sheffield City Council First Contact if already have a care package.

·       Carer support. Refer to Sheffield Carers Centre.  

·   Sheffield Dementia Carers Training Service (for families). Refer to Alzheimer’s Society Sheffield. [AS2] 

2. (Under 65s) Young Onset Dementia community non-medical referral routes – for use by GPs in Sheffield [PDF]

·       Young Onset Dementia information and advice through Dementia Advice Sheffield (DAS). Dementia Advice Sheffield Referral Form.

·       Young Onset Dementia Hub, Memory Cafés, Dementia-Friendly Groups and wellbeing phonecalls through People Keeping Well Dementia support.  Refer via Dementia Advice Sheffield (see links above).

·   Dementia Short Term Intervention Service (DSTIS): See 4. and download DSTIS Referral Form below.

·   Young Onset Dementia Day Activities.  Refer to Care2Care (0114) 317 7942 for North Sheffield or Age UK Sheffield (0114) 250 2850 for South Sheffield or Dementia Advice Sheffield (DAS) if unsure.

·   Carer support. Refer to Sheffield Carers Centre.  

·   Sheffield Dementia Carers Training Service (for families). Refer to Alzheimer’s Society Sheffield. [AS3] 

3. Dementia non-medical awareness and training - for professionals and volunteers in Sheffield [PDF]

·       Dementia Friends awareness.

·       Dementia Stars training.

·       Dementia Advice Sheffield workshops.

·       Our Dementia Commitments – Sheffield (previously known as Sheffield Dementia Action Alliance) – for becoming a dementia-friendly organisation / GP Surgery.

4. DSTIS (Dementia Short Term Intervention Service) referral form for GPs and ASC in Sheffield [Word]

·       Download Dementia Short Term Intervention Service PDF below.

·   Up-to 6-week service delivered by the Azheimer’s Society in Sheffield.

·   For those with higher dementia needs who are struggling to cope.

·   Short intense support to avoid a crisis.

·   Improve their understanding of dementia and develop strategies to increase their resilience and live well.

·   Information, practical advice and support in coping and living with dementia, and preparing for the future.

·   Support to make informed decisions about their care and legal arrangements – where required.

·   Ensure access to the right support for them by coordinating wraparound support from health and social care services.

·   Connect with social care and clinical teams if the person needs personal care, aids and adaptations, occupational therapy or clinical support.

·   Develop a short-term reablement support plan that addresses their immediate needs to improve their situation.[AS4] 

5. Useful sources of community dementia information

For professionals:

·       Dementia Advice Sheffield – professionals page https://www.ageuk.org.uk/sheffield/our-services/das-dementia-advice-sheffield2/das-dementia-advice-sheffield/

For the public:

·       Dementia Advice Sheffield – public first point of contact https://www.ageuk.org.uk/sheffield/our-services/das-dementia-advice-sheffield2/das-individuals/

For professionals and public:

·       Sheffield Directory Dementia page www.sheffielddirectory.org.uk/dementia