Grant boosts Alzheimer's care to combat loneliness

Generous Marlborough grant givers have provided a £7,000 boost to Alzheimer’s care that is combatting loneliness in people with dementia across the county.

Marlborough based Friends of Savernake Hospital and the Community pledged to donate the cash sum to Wiltshire charity Alzheimer’s Support.

The charity is attempting to tackle the negative impact that loneliness can have on older people by offering companionship and care for people living with dementia.

Trudy Granger, from the Friends of Savernake Hospital and the Community said: “This regular social contact with people can counter the effects of loneliness which is a massive issue, especially in Wiltshire because it has many rural areas.

"It is vital that the support workers can get out there and reach as many people as possible. It is also key to support family members who take on a massive amount of responsibility to keep the status quo at home.

"The grant will help people be supported to live at home for as long as possible and to actually be able to live an everyday life."

From providing companionship to helping people carry out their weekly shopping or social tasks, workers make sure that people living with dementia can stay as independent and safe in their own homes as possible.

The grant comes after Alzheimer’s Support secured a contract with Wiltshire Council to provide holistic dementia services throughout the county.

The grant from the Friends will be used in part to meet the travel costs of the Alzheimer’s Support dementia home support team workers.

Alzheimer’s Support CEO, Babs Harris, said: "Our support workers provide a lifeline to people who cannot get out and about under their own volition, and in the East of Wiltshire especially, our travel costs are high.

"It is wonderful to receive support for travel costs in the area in particular."

There is currently 6,500 people living with dementia in Wiltshire, a figure which is expected to rise to 8,500 by 2020.

SOURCE: Gazette and Herald

What an excellent bonus to dementia sufferers and their families.