New Dementia Advisor service launched in Bury

Date published: 25 March 2010

Bury has launched a new Dementia Advisor service to help provide individuals with the disease as well as family members and carers with up to date tailored information which can help them stay informed.

The new service, which is an 18 month pilot funded by Government Office North West, is being delivered by the Alzheimer’s Society. 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.

The main aims of the service are: 

• Provision of a quality information and signposting service which is tailored to individual need. This will be supported by the Society’s constantly evolving national and local information base
• Focus on the individual – empowering them to access the information they need, promoting independence, self-help, well-being, choice and control
• Collaboration with other health and care professionals and active development of these partnerships to maximise the outcome for the person with dementia
• Accessibility – seeking out those affected by dementia that we have traditionally found it hard to reach

If you would like more information from the Bury Dementia Advisors please contact:

Nicola Meaking on Telephone No: 07850929785 or email Nicola at: nicola.meaking@alzheimers.org.uk  

Sharon Bannister on Telephone No. 07850929786 or email Sharon at:
sharon.bannister@alzheimers.org.uk  

Pat Jones- Greenhalgh, Director for Adult Care Services at Bury Council, said: “In 2007 there was an estimated 2,124 people with dementia living in Bury. By 2021 this number is expected to rise to 2,811. This new service will help us address this issue and work with experts in the field to ensure that local residents are well informed.

Dr Peter Elton, Director of Public Health for Bury, said: “Dementia is becoming one of the biggest challenges faced by the NHS. As our population lives longer we will see more dementia and its negative impact, not only on individual sufferers, but families, carers and friends. This new support service is a massive boost for the thousands of people in Bury whose lives are tainted by this terrible condition. Access to a specialist service for support is key to enabling those families and carers to cope with living with a dementia sufferer, by offering emotional and practical support at the most difficult of times."