Call for dementia services to raise profile

Dementia services need a higher profile so that people know where to find support after a diagnosis, the Alzheimer’s Society said today.

A poll by the charity revealed 31% of people would not know where to seek support if they were diagnosed, while a further 14% said they would have no-one to turn to.

Ruth Sutherland, the society’s acting chief executive, said local plans for dementia services should include raising awareness of the support available locally.

Of the 2,029 respondents to its survey, 82% said they would turn to professionals for guidance and support. However, Sutherland said: “While some areas have excellent support, provision is patchy and GPs often fail to signpost people to the right services.

“It is frightening to be told you have dementia and then sent home to wait with no support. This is the experience we hear from too many people.”

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