Complex dementia - who we care for 

'Opened in 2020, Lowther represents a significant step forward in the care and support of people with dementia and other progressive neurological conditions.' Muthu Natarajan, Clinical Director of Neuropsychiatry

Lowther dementia village is a registered hospital service providing gender-specific inpatient care for men and women, typically over 55, who require specialist care. We deliver positive experiences to optimise outcomes and enhance quality of life while managing cognitive decline and behaviour that challenge other services, including those with;

• Dementias, including early on-set dementia, Pick's disease, Frontotemporal dementia
• Progressive Neurological Conditions, including Huntington's disease (HD), Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis and Guillain Barre Syndrome
• Comorbid physical healthcare needs (with the exception of those requiring ventilation)
• People in crisis, requiring rapid assessment and stabilisation
• Suitable for patients detained under the Mental health Act 1983 (2007) or on a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard Order (DoLS), or informal.

Lowther, has been designed to meet each of these needs while providing a tailored, dementia-friendly environment that encourages activities and welcomes family and carers.

Types of referral

1. Core assessment and admission: for people requiring specialist assessment (typically 2 -3 months)
2. Core admission: for people with enduring cognitive and behavioural deficits, requiring longer term care
3. Slow-stream care: for people who present with ongoing risk behaviours and/or a forensic background
4. Crisis admission: same day assessment for people requiring stabilisation and short-term admission before returning to their community placement (typically 1-2 months)

Our specialist team prepare a detailed assessment that can help case managers identify local services accompanied by a tailored behavioural and cognitive care plan.

Treatment Aims

Our fundamental approach is to reinforce positive behaviours and enable people to live well with a life-ling or deteriorating condition, we seek to achieve this through:

• Tailored care and improved quality of life
• Appropriate social interaction
• Reduction in behaviours that challenge
• Optimisation of cognitive abilities
• Support to regain social and interpersonal skills where possible
• Management and care of related physical health conditions
• Assistance in the return to community living