29 July 2025

Supporting Brent’s residents with compassion, expertise and care

The Dementia Behaviour Specialist Service pilot is helping people with dementia receive better care in Brent. This new service supports residents who experience changes in behaviour linked to their diagnosis. It brings expert knowledge directly to the people who need it, working with both patients and their families.

What the service offers

The team provides advice and support based on each person’s cognitive, behavioural and communication needs. They work with hospital staff, care homes and families to:

  • Help assess each person’s needs
  • Plan hospital discharges
  • Find safe and suitable placements
  • Support families and carers
  • Prevent hospital readmissions

By taking this approach, the team makes sure people’s dementia-related needs are recognised and responded to.

Why it matters

The service was created in response to the lack of care homes in Brent that can safely support people with dementia who show changes in behaviour. Some residents are placed in homes outside the borough, including Hatfield. The team continues working with these residents and their carers, even after they move, to give consistent support.

What our staff say

Ama Dumenya, Dementia Behaviour Specialist, said:

“The Dementia Behaviour Specialist Service in Brent provides tailored support for individuals diagnosed with dementia. We work closely with patients who have exhibited challenging behaviours in hospital, helping to identify and secure the most suitable care for them within the community”

Lynde Booth Collard, Dementia Behaviour Specialist, said:

“We conduct in-depth behavioural assessments to identify and understand any unmet needs that may be contributing to a person’s behaviour. By addressing these underlying factors, we can provide tailored support and improve their overall well-being. We educate care home managers, family members and carers by providing psychoeducation, feedback and weekly care plans.”            

Future plans

Both Ama and Lynde hope the pilot will become a permanent service in Brent. Their goal is to give people with dementia the right support at the right time - wherever they live.