Jersey to hire more dementia carers

The Jersey Health Department has announced it is set to hire additional staff to help care for dementia patients.

A report recently released by BBC Radio Jersey showed that individual nurses in the area are currently responsible for up to 50 families which have been affected by the disease.

Ian Dyer, head of older adult services, said: "It is too many and that's one of the reasons we need to look at investment in this area to make sure we can support people to live at home.

He added that most people with memory problems would prefer to stay in their own house if given the choice.

An additional 16 mental health professionals will be hired by the Jersey Health Department, as they try to combat the rise in Alzheimer's cases.

Approximately 1,200 people in the region have been diagnosed with dementia, while that figure is expected to double within the next 30 years.

Find out about dementia care and support services at Barchester care homes.