Nationwide building society is offering free face-to-face dementia clinics at 200 of its branches, giving health and money support to sufferers and their families.
The society is funding 30 Dementia UK admiral nurses, specialist staff who will work on the high street and on the charity’s helpline.
Free 45-minute clinic appointments will be open to members and non-Nationwide customers.
They can be booked up to 14 days in advance on the Dementia UK website or in a branch.
The nurses will provide guidance on subjects including understanding a diagnosis, worries about symptoms, legal issues and how best to care for someone with dementia.
They will also offer emotional support to anyone affected by dementia, including family and carers.
From 13 August, branches will be visited by an admiral nurse between Tuesday and Thursday, at least once every three months.
Dementia is the county’s leading cause of death. About 1 million people are living with dementia in the UK, and by 2024 that is predicted to rise to 1.6 million, with an annual cost to the UK economy of £90bn by 2040.
This initiative is predicted to reach more than 10% of them. Nationwide’s scheme will offer help to more than 100,000 sufferers.
Dr Hilda Hayo, the chief admiral nurse and chief executive at Dementia UK, said: “With the number of people living with dementia in the UK set to exceed 1 million in the next year, this timely partnership will be crucial as we increase our services and reach to ensure no one faces dementia alone.”
