Dementia care boost for Chorley (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Dementia care boost for Chorley

12:05pm Friday 10th July 2009 in

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People with dementia and their families are set to receive more support thanks to a new pilot scheme being launched in Chorley.

This week, Care Services Minister, Phil Hope, announced that Central Lancashire, whichalso includes Preston, South Ribble and West Lancashire, will be just one of 22 areas to test a new specialist dementia advisor service.

Under the scheme specialist advisors will act as a guide to help people with dementia and their families navigate the care and support system available. They will provide easy access to care, support and advice, and also give patients and carers an opportunity to take an active role in developing local services.

Four advisors will be recruited across Central Lancashire and will be based in Preston, South Ribble, Chorley and West Lancashire at a variety of locations.

It is hoped that once the pilot scheme is completed the service will be rolled out across the rest of Lancashire.

Lancashire County Council, together with NHS Central Lancashire and the Alzheimer's Society, submitted the successful bid for dementia advisors to the Department of Health earlier this year.

The news comes as Lancashire celebrates Dementia Awareness Week (July 5-11), which this year focuses on things to reduce the risk of developing dementia.

County Councillor Mike Calvert, cabinet member for adult and community services, said: "This is fantastic news for people with dementia and their families in Central Lancashire. Working together with NHS Central Lancashire and the Alzheimer's Society, we are pleased to have been selected to pilot this sche me and as a result we will be able to provide much needed support to families living with dementia and work to identify the best ways of providing the type of help and care they need."

Alex Walker, NHS Central Lancashire associate director for adult and older adult services, said: “Dementia is one of the most significant health challenges facing our society.

“The specialist dementia advisor service builds on the other exciting developments in central Lancashire at Charnley Fold in South Ribble and Brookside in West Lancashire, which are transforming dementia care in the region.

“We welcome the new support service, which will help to make sure that those suffering from dementia, their families and carers can receive the care and support that meets their needs.”

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society added: "As an organisation we are particularly pleased with this news becau se it firmly establishes Alzheimer's Society as the lead provider of services for people affected by dementia living in the community."

To find out more about support for people living with dementia visit www.alzheimers.org.uk