Funds are being raised by the Caring Hands Dementia Foundation to provide Preston and Lytham in Lancashire with a specialist dementia nurse.
The new nurse will provide practical, clinical and emotional support to families affected by dementia to help them cope and live well with the condition. The charity has also said that it will campaign locally for better support for people affected by dementia.
‘Dementia is a very challenging condition which can cause great stress and upheaval for the person living with it and those around them,’ said Greg Bamber, chairman of Caring Hands Group. ‘A diagnosis can also leave people feeling very daunted, isolated and alone – unsure of where they can turn for advice and assistance. This is where the Caring Hands Dementia Foundation will be able to help.
In order to raise funds for the nurse, the charity has set up a shop in Penwortham, Lancashire, named the Preloved Boutique. Once the nurse has been hired, the charity will continue to raise money for ongoing development and extending the work of the foundation.
Some of this work includes setting up a weekly peer support group, launching a singing group and encouraging closer working with GPs, hospitals and other community healthcare providers to facilitate people with dementia to stay in their homes.
‘Dementia can be a devastating condition, but when families are empowered with the right information and have access to appropriate support,’ added Mr Bamber. ‘Whether that’s ensuring someone is taking the right medication, offering social support, or providing practical advice on issues such as benefits or housing rights – people can enjoy a good quality of life, and that is what we are trying to help people achieve through the foundation.’