Living Together with Dementia is a service for couples where one partner has a dementia, offering emotional support through the trauma of diagnosis and adjustment to the situation. It aims to address the ‘secondary disablement’ that often accompanies dementia, so that people are helped to function as well as they can. In dementia, people gradually lose the capacity to carry out daily activities, and they become more dependent. The LTWD approach aims to enable people with dementia to continue to play an active role for longer, and for couples to learn to adjust to the disease, to continue with everyday activities together that support interdependence rather than dependence.
Who is the living together with dementia service aimed at?
People aged 65+ with a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer’s Disease, or other dementia, who are married, in a long-term relationship or civil partnership.
How does the service work?
We offer an initial consultation appointment, followed by six sessions and then review, where there is a chance to discuss whether further help is needed. The service is unique in that it targets the person with dementia and their partner, focussing on the relationship between them. The focus on the couple together is crucial. By focussing on helping to preserve the relationship between partners, carer stress and breakdown is reduced and the life experience and mental health of both the spouse carer and their partner with dementia is improved.
Who will the couples be seen by?
Couples will be seen be therapists who specialise and train in this area of work.
How much does it cost?
There is a fixed fee for this service of £100 per session. (There are 8 sessions spaced roughly 2-4 weeks apart.)
How can my organisation commission this service?
For information on how to commission this service, please see our commissioning page.
If I think this service is right for me, who do I contact to make an appointment?
If you think this service could be right for you, please visit our dedicated appointments website. Alternatively, please telephone 0207 380 1950, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will send you details.
