New admiral nurses will support carers in Armed Forces
A UNIQUE service to support the carers of those with dementia within the Armed Forces community is to be launched in Walsall.
The Royal British Legion, in partnership with Dementia UK, is looking to recruit three Admiral Nurses in the borough ahead of the initiative’s launch later this spring.
Specially trained in dementia care, the Legion’s Admiral Nurse Service will support the carers of those with dementia within the Armed Forces community, providing them with information, support and practical help.
Walsall will be one of the first areas in the country to trial the new service, which will be rolled out to other parts of the country in the autumn.
Laura Morton, head of care services at The Royal British Legion, said: “Dementia has been identified as the next health time bomb with the number of sufferers worldwide set to double in the next eight years.
“Studies have shown that caring for a person with dementia can be very demanding and carers are more likely to experience physical and mental stress.
“One of the best ways to improve the quality of life for people with dementia is to support those who care for them, so we’re delighted that we will be offering the Admiral Nurses Service to members of the Armed Forces family.
“Fifteen per cent of those aged 65 years and over have care and support needs that the state doesn’t currently meet. Combined with health spending cuts at local and national level, this means there are serious gaps in provision when it comes to supporting people who care for those with dementia.”
The Legion is seeking to recruit registered mental health nurses with experience in dementia care.
To qualify for the Legion’s Admiral Nurse Service, either the person with dementia or the carer needs to be a beneficiary of The Royal British Legion.
Any nurses who fit the criteria and would like to find out more information about the Admiral Nurse roles should contact Laura Morton on 07919 210251.
To find out more about the service, contact LegionLine on 08457 725725.
