A NEW service has been launched in Cheshire East to help people living with dementia as soon as they are diagnosed.

The Dementia Reablement Service (DRS), has been introduced by Cheshire East Council to coincide with Dementia Awareness Week this week.

The service offers a planned, bespoke service with a strong emphasis on enabling people with early dementia to remain independent and live safely and securely in their homes.

The DRS will meet the individual and their families or carers to develop a personalised plan based on their needs and aspirations.

Cllr Michael Jones, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “Cheshire East Council is leading the way in providing support as early as possible to people diagnosed with dementia and engaging with those close to them.

“The number of people aged 65 or over living with dementia in Cheshire East is expected to rise by more than 40 per cent by 2030.

“The Dementia Reablement Service is taking an innovative approach to ensure that people with dementia and their carers get help and support to enable them to learn to live with their condition.”

The service is a 12-month pilot project funded by the Council and was officially launched at Sandbach Town Hall on May 18, the start of Dementia Awareness Week.

Brenda Smith, Cheshire East Council’s director of adult social care and independent living, said: “Every person who has a diagnosis of dementia is different. Every one of them is an individual and that is why we are developing a bespoke service.

“This service has been designed to deliver a range of tailored support for people to learn how to adapt to their condition and will give them the confidence to lead as active a life as possible and give carers reassurance in supporting their loved ones to remain as independent as possible.”