The Admiral Nursing helpline, the UK's only nurse-led helpline for dementia information, is to increase availability, after a 78% increase in demand since 2013.
The helpline connects people with dementia and their families to dementia-specialist admiral nurses, who provide information on issues surrounding the condition. According to figures released by Dementia UK, 32% of people contacted the service for general information, 16% wanted advice regarding home care arrangements, 13% requested help with the management of behavioural problems, and 11% of people wanted more information about getting a diagnosis of dementia.
Dave Bell, an Admiral nurse, said: 'I think the increase in demand for the helpline is down to the increase in the public's awareness of dementia. We see a lot of calls from relatives who want more information and support to care for their relative with dementia. We also help people with the practical details of obtaining a diagnosis for a relative if they have concerns about dementia.'
Hilda Hayo, the chief executive of Dementia UK said: 'The Dementia UK DIRECT helpline is staffed by Admiral Nurses who specialise in dementia care. Their help is invaluable to families who are living with the effects of dementia, and the demand for the service they provide has been steadily growing over the last year.'
The helpline has also published figures on who is the most likely to contact the service. They show that 56% of callers are the daughters of people with dementia, while sons, the next most likely people to contact the service, account for just 16% of total callers.
Ms Hayo added: 'By extending the helpline service hours, we will be able to better accommodate people who are seeking dementia care advice, but who work all day and can only contact the helpline in the evening.'