Bringing Memory Support Into the Heart of Kent’s Communities – Support Services for Older People in Kent

At United Ages of Kent, we noticed a barrier standing between people and the healthcare they needed, and it wasn’t a lack of services. It was stigma, and fear.

Time and again, we saw the same pattern. Someone experiencing memory decline would dismiss it as “not that bad,” or simply forget there had been a problem in the first place. Others recognised something wasn’t right, but the anxiety of a clinical test, sitting in a waiting room, being formally assessed, was enough to put them off seeking a diagnosis altogether. The result was considerable pressure on families and carers, and, most importantly, a delay in the medical intervention and support that person actually needed.

So we set out to change that.

A community-first approach

With funding from the Masonic Charitable Foundation, United Ages of Kent piloted the Kent Memory Champions project: bringing SMMSE memory assessments directly into the community, in friendly, non-clinical settings, rather than asking people to come to a clinical one.

That means no waiting room, no formal appointment system in many cases, and a familiar setting, a local hub, a coffee morning, an advice session, where people already feel comfortable. The aim is simple: meet people where they are, and make it as easy as possible to take that first step.

This matters especially in Kent, which has one of the lowest dementia diagnosis rates in England: just 52.3% of people estimated to be living with dementia in the county receive a formal diagnosis, well below the national average.

From a quiet concern to the right support

When someone shows signs of memory concern during a community assessment, we signpost them straight to their GP for further evaluation, rather than leaving them to navigate that step alone.

We’ve already seen several case studies of individuals being screened, going on to receive a diagnosis, and entering the right treatment pathway as a result, giving them the chance to access the correct medication, slow further decline, and live a more comfortable life.

If you’re worried about yourself, or someone you care about

If you or someone you care about is experiencing memory decline, please don’t wait. Reach out to one of our delivery partners: