Background Most people diagnosed with dementia wish to maintain a ‘normal life for as long as possible, thus supporting more people with dementia and their carers can help facilitate this. We decided to deliver a ‘dementia positive living group’ (PLG) following attendance at dementia study days and reading ‘Hospice Enabled Dementia Care’ Hospice UK (2015), recommending hospices develop links with other agencies and input into dementia care, focusing on education and knowledge of future/advance planning.

Aim To support those people newly diagnosed with dementia and their carers to live well with their illness. Evaluation through pre- and post- confidence surveys.

Method Our current PLG could be adapted for those diagnosed with dementia. The CCG wanted to develop dementia services, indicating the gaps were around immediately post-diagnosis. The hospice and NHS memory clinic offered the six-week PLG course. We advertised through GPs, memory clinic, social media and the hospice website. PLG offered:

• Advice and support with diagnosis

• Managing symptoms and making the most of life

• Access to resources

• future planning

Results Four couples attended. Referrals were from the memory clinic and GPs. ‘Being in a group who were going through similar problems.’ ‘made us more positive about the future, we need this information early on the illness.’ Carers reported: increased confidence caring for their relatives, sharing stories, acknowledging their experiences were normal and future planning.

Conclusions By the end of the course couples were sharing transport, arranging to meet outside of the group to support and signpost to dementia friendly venues. The next group has five couples on the waiting list. The development of enhanced dementia hospice services has enabled us to reach out to more people with dementia and work with our partners to deliver a wider service across our community.