Social support for dementia

Illustration of a tree in the summer.

People with dementia and their families often need extra support to face a variety of challenges in their daily lives. Social support due to dementia is intended to relieve the burden of home care for people with dementia and improve the quality of life for them and members of their families.

How social support for dementia works

Support is available for disabled people with dementia and their families. This support helps people continue living at home despite their condition.

Staff offer support for two to three hours once or twice a week, in the evenings and on weekends, based on individual needs. Staff receives training to provide targeted support for people with dementia. The project will also prioritize hiring staff with knowledge of dementia and experience in services for people with dementia.

Who can receive support?

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a legal resident in Reykjavík
  • Live independently (not in a hospital, nursing home, or specialized housing)
  • Have a medical diagnosis of dementia
  • Be assessed as needing social support in the evenings or on weekends

How to apply for support

Apply for support on My Pages

You can also fill out a PDF application and send it to heima@reykjavik.is or submit it to your local Service Center.

 

Policy and cooperation

Reykjavík City's policy on senior citizens' affairs for 2018-2022 states that various support options should be offered for people with dementia, considering the strain on relatives. Based on these goals, a development project for increased social support for people with dementia was initiated.

The project development involves input from the Alzheimer's Association, managers of specialized day care centers, and experts from Landspítali University Hospital and Primary Care of the Capital Area.

Where can I get more information?

Geriatric counseling specialists at Service Centers provide more information about the project.

You can also call the Reykjavík City Service Center at: 4 11 11 11.