Extra investment for dementia in Edinburgh

Services for people suffering from dementia in Edinburgh are set to benefit from almost £1 million of extra investment from the city council.

The extra funds will focus on services for people suffering from dementia and mental health problems.

It is intended to pay for 279 more day centre places with an additional 265 hours of outreach work, reports the Edinburgh News.

Elderly people in north west and south central Edinburgh will be prioritised for day centre places. The extra outreach hours will provide short-term one-on-one care to people in their own homes.

Paul Edie, the city's health and social care leader, said that the day services will play a vital role in helping older people within their local communities.

"Older people, their families and other carers will benefit greatly from this investment and I'm sure meaningful improvements will be made in the way that we co-ordinate and deliver day care services in partnership," added Mr Edie.

Alzheimer Scotland estimates that between 58,000 and 65,000 people suffer from dementia in the country.

The charity claims that the number of people affected by the disease is expected to rise by 75 per cent by 2031.

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