A new dementia hub that would serve the needs of the Island could open up in Cowes.
It is proposed by the Isle of Wight Council at the Parklands site in Cowes, so services on the Island can work together in an integrated way.
The hub will be developed by The Alzheimer Café IW and tie in to help fulfil commitments in the authority’s dementia strategy, which launched last year.
The Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet is being asked to approve a 25-year lease of Parklands to the charity in May, so long as money has been set aside for refurbishment works.
Last year, it was estimated 2,655 people over the age of 65 on the Island were living with dementia, which could increase to 3,920 by 2030 according to The Alzheimer Society.
The council’s strategy aims to make a ‘real difference’ to Islanders with dementia and their families, helping support people to live full, independent and active lives.
It sets targets about helping to prevent dementia where possible by living a healthy lifestyle; getting a timely and accurate diagnosis; and supporting patients and carers with access to safe and high-quality health and social care.
One comment submitted while the strategy was being created was that the Island “needed a dementia hub where people can go for support, information, activity sessions, company, stimulation and friendship”.
“it was estimated 2,655 people over the age of 65 on the Island were living with dementia”
Think they all live in Wroxall and Freshwater! Plenty under 65 are demented there too.
You sad ba…..d, I’d like to hope that you never suffer from this horrible disease , but looks like I’m too late. Go crawl back under your rock.
Timely and accurate diagnosis? Never on this island. My 88 year old mother has been waiting over 18 months for the memory clinic at St Mary’s to confirm her GP’s diagnosis of dementia, and she still has no appointment to be seen. Usual disgraceful service from the NHS that everyone seems to think is so wonderful.
Totally agree Paul, Similar story for us, been waiting over a year, the GP said it’s best to go private.
Private cost is approx 300.00, wait time 8-10 weeks, not ideal for everyone. The problem locally is a shortage of neurologists to do the test. Looks like a trip to Southampton is imminent for us.