Barbara Stephens, Chief Executive of for dementia, the charity responsible for Admiral Nurses says:

"Dementia is a complex condition with many and varied causes. There needs to be a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to address this major public health issue."

"More training for GPs will, of course, help to identify more people in the early stages of the illness and will improve access to memory clinic and assessment services; however many people do not actively seek help when they are worried about their memory and it might be many months or even years before they receive any support.

Many families struggle with the condition for years, putting off the day they express their own or their loved ones concerns about this illness, which still carries such a stigma.

"Older family members, those most likely to develop a form of dementia, may already be coming into contact with health, care or housing services of some kind. It is therefore imperative that professionals 'in the round' are also trained to pick up these early signs and raise the issues."

"for dementia and Admiral Nurses look forward to the publication of the National Dementia Strategy expected early in the New Year and to working as part of the team with Government to ensure that the needs of this highly vulnerable and growing population group and their carers are fully addressed and that the funding is in place to bring it to reality. for dementia and Admiral Nurses are ready to play their part ."

"A key part of the Admiral Nurse's job is to act as a resource for all health and social care professionals in the locality. Formal and informal training and support is all in a day's work for an Admiral Nurse.

"In the meantime, anyone worried about their own or a loved one's memory and the prospect of dementia, and professional carers can call the Admiral Nursing DIRECT telephone and email helpline which is open 'extra hours' between Christmas and New Year."

Professional and family carers can call the dedicated Admiral Nursing DIRECT phone line 0845 257 9406 to talk to an experienced Admiral Nurse on Tuesday daytime 10 am- 4 pm, and Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 6pm and 9pm, or email questions to directfordementia. For more information log on to www.fordementia. The helpline and email service are open at extra times between Christmas and New Year.

Admiral Nurses and their role in conjunction with Memory Clinics.

Admiral Nurses offer a service that complements that provided by other members of the Memory Assessment Service (including Memory Clinics), by providing:

-- Specialist assessment of family carer's needs
-- Therapeutic support for those families presenting with complex problems and relationship issues
-- 'Step-up' facilitative support and liaison consultancy for people with dementia / family carers being referred on to secondary mental health services, where appropriate
-- 'Step-down' facilitative support and liaison consultancy with primary care services for people with dementia / family carers not eligible for medication at the time of assessment

Supporting the dementia journey

Admiral Nurses further complement the work of Memory Assessment Services by:

-- Monitoring of people with dementia at early to moderate stage; timely re-referral to Memory Assessment Service and/or referral to secondary mental health services, if appropriate.
-- Providing in-reach to primary care professionals, providing clinical advice, education and consultancy on dementia and carers' issues.
-- Offering health promotion and education for carers of people with dementia within primary care.
-- Facilitating information and support programmes for carers and people with dementia at primary care level

Admiral Nurses have a role throughout the dementia journey and can receive back referrals in the latter stages whilst also supporting families who never fulfil the criteria for secondary mental health carer services:

-- Providing support and consultancy for primary care professionals around advance care planning and end-of life decision-making.
-- Home support for family carers and people with dementia living in the community: facilitating end-of-life decision-making and clinical intervention; supporting the input of District Nurses and liaising with Palliative Care services where appropriate
-- Outreach support for residential and nursing care providers: supporting care-staff and families around end-of-life decision making and appropriate clinical interventions, liaising with primary care and Palliative Care services, as appropriate.

Admiral Nursing works in partnership with local service providers and work within the context of community based provision. The Admiral Nurses' Case Management Model underpins the work of Admiral Nurses, recognising the changing need over time of families affected by dementia. The model provides for increased input by Admiral Nurses at times of greater need, often associated with transitions in the journey such as at diagnosis, use of respite services, entry into care and bereavement.

About the charity for dementia

Admiral Nurses work within health and social care trust and are supported in their training and professional development by the charity for dementia. The mission of for dementia is to improve the quality of life of people with dementia by promoting and developing Admiral Nursing; providing high quality training and promoting best practice for professionals working with older people, carers and people with dementia; and supporting the Uniting Carers network through giving carers a voice

www.fordementia