St Andrew's Healthcare

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.

Click HERE to find out more about our Lowther environments

Specialist Dementia Hub for people with complex needs

Our Dementia service at a glance

We deliver a variety of specialist therapies designed to manage cognitive decline, reduce behaviours that challenge and encourage positive life experiences for people living with dementia, alongside their other physical and mental illness needs.

Our new wards on Lowther recognise the different care requirements during the phases of dementia:

Cherry - Female ward and end of life care

Aspen - Male admission ward

Redwood - Male complex and challenging behaviour

Elm - Male mid stage and end of life care

Download our latest brochures

Dementia Services brochure Dementia research at St Andrews

Rapid Response service for older adults in crisis

We also offer rapid assessment and admission for patients whose behavioural presentation or cognitive function has deteriorated and who require urgent stabilisation and intensive therapy in a safe environment.

Our programmes deliver treatment to support a return to community once the crisis period has subsided, and also offers a service for patients requiring a more extensive care package. Read our brochure.

Types of referral

Core assessment and admission: for people requiring specialist assessment (typically 2 -3 months)
Core admission: for people with enduring cognitive and behavioural deficits, requiring longer term care
Slow-stream care: for people who present with ongoing risk behaviours and/or a forensic background
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