Nationwide Building Society has partnered with Dementia UK to offer free face-to-face dementia clinics at 200 of its branches across the UK. The clinics will provide both health and financial guidance to individuals living with dementia, as well as their families and carers.
The building society is funding 30 specialist admiral nurses, who will work in branches and on Dementia UK's helpline. Each 45-minute appointment is free and open to both Nationwide members and non-customers. Appointments can be booked up to 14 days in advance via the Dementia UK website or in a branch.
The nurses will offer support on understanding a diagnosis, managing symptoms, legal issues, and caring for someone with dementia. They will also provide emotional support to anyone affected by the condition. From 13 August, each branch will host an admiral nurse at least once every three months, between Tuesday and Thursday.
Dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK, with around 1 million people currently living with the condition. This number is expected to rise to 1.6 million by 2024, with an annual cost to the UK economy of £90 billion by 2040. Nationwide's initiative is expected to reach more than 100,000 sufferers, or over 10% of those affected.
Dr Hilda Hayo, 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.'
