Dementia carers ‘require greater support’

More assistance should be provided to those responsible for caring for a relative suffering from dementia, according to a leading charity.

Dementia UK has stated that "considerable work" is necessary to create an equitable system where all dementia carers are able to receive support, advice and guidance on how to cope with their responsibilities.

Ian Weatherhead, lead nurse for Dementia UK's Admiral Nursing Direct helpline, acknowledged that there are some "excellent" schemes in place in the UK already, but emphasised the fact that carers are required to understand and cope with complex issues.

He therefore stated that advice on the implications of conditions should be provided to all affected at the point of diagnosis, while emotional support and day-to-day management guidance should also be offered.

"Carers need to know they are not alone and that help is out there to support them through this difficult journey," explained Mr Weatherhead.

This comes after an Alzheimer's Research Trust-commissioned University of Oxford report published earlier this year raised concern that funding for dementia research is currently lagging far behind the amounts allocated to other serious illnesses.