THE dementia unit at Savernake Hospital is to run workshops with the Kennet Carers' Association to help carers look after their charges for longer before they need residential home care.
By helping people to lead independent lives for much longer, the scheme will save the NHS and Social Services enormous sums in residential care.
Monthly workshops are being set up at Savernake Hospital and at each one a speaker will discuss an aspect of dementia care, including medication, what benefits are available and how to cope with day-to-day problems.
Dr Simon Manchip, the consultant in old age psychiatry at Savernake Hospital, said: "These courses have been shown to empower carers and, as a consequence, delay the need for a residential or nursing care home for up to eight months."
He estimates there are 800 people in the east Kennett area acting as carers for dementia sufferers.
Respite care will be available for dementia sufferers at Savernake Hospital while their carers attend the courses.
For more information contact Maggie Grant on (01793) 425411.
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