ABSTRACT
Temporary funding was received from a government prevention grant to provide stimulation through a variety of activities, to help people who are socially isolated from becoming depressed, to prevent people from needing long-term care too soon, and to prevent a breakdown in their situation. Social workers, community psychiatric nurses and other community care workers have all praised the way in which the Outreach workers have been able to encourage people who have always refused assistance in the past into receiving services of some kind. Merefield Day Care and Outreach are usually available to anyone in Harlow who is over age 65 and has some form of dementing illness or mental health need. Most people are referred to the Outreach Service because, as well as their dementia, they are lonely or depressed, and the lack of stimulation is increasing the rate of the deterioration in their mental health.
