Council launches adopt a granny scheme

Kent County Council has launched a scheme which allows people living with dementia to forego moving into care homes and live with foster families instead.

It hopes the "foster a granny" initiative will vastly change the way older people are looked after once they are affected with cognitive impairment.

"The new initiative will give people with dementia the opportunity to be looked after in a homely atmosphere and to develop real and lasting new relationships as a ¬positive alternative to residential care," said Jane Barnes, head of adults, older people and physical disability at Kent County Council.

She added that those interested in fostering will be vetted and trained. They will also receive support from the council on an ongoing basis.

Tracey Hopkins, a carer from Ashford in Kent, told the Daily Express that she will gladly look after more people with dementia on a permanent basis because she knows the value of good quality care after her mother suffered a stroke.

Click here for more information on Barchester care homes in Kent.