Dementia service celebrates landmark (From Enfield Independent)

Dementia service in Enfield celebrates landmark

1:24pm Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News By Bruce Thain

A service supporting those with dementia has celebrated helping more than 400 people with the condition.

The Alzheimer's Society’s Enfield Dementia Adviser service reached the milestone for helping people in the borough earlier this month.

The service was launched in 2010 and supports people with dementia from the time they are diagnosed, giving them information about the condition and where they can get further help.

Peter Todd, Alzheimer's Society manager for north west London, said: “It’s fantastic that the Enfield Dementia Adviser service has supported so many people so far."

Dementia adviser for Enfield Meenaxi Jala, said: “When people are diagnosed with dementia they often feel they don’t have enough information. At the other extreme, they can be overwhelmed with information and left to understand this alone.

“My job is to stop this happening by offering people in Enfield advice and guidance that is specifically tailored for them in a format they prefer.

“It’s amazing to see what a difference it has made to both people with dementia and those who care for them.”

People are sometimes referred to the service by a GP or social worker, or they access the service themselves.

The Alzheimer’s Society say 3,000 people in Enfield suffer with dementia and estimate the number of people with the condition is set to increase by a quarter in the next ten years.