A specialist service supporting the carers and families of people with dementia has been launched in Hampshire.

The Royal British Legion’s Admiral Nurse Service, developed in partnership with Dementia UK, provides support for family carers of those with dementia who are part of the county’s Armed Forces community.

The Royal Navy’s oldest charity, Greenwich Hospital, is providing £150,000 of funding over three years to support the Legion in extending the service to Hampshire.

The specialist service aims to provide information, advice and support which will equip family carers with relevant skills and information to assist with care and promote positive approaches to living with dementia.

Referrals for the new service are now being taken, and the Legion is urging people who need the charity’s support to get in touch.

Adam Smith, the admiral nurse lead in Hampshire, said he has been “delighted” with the response to the service so far.

“Admiral nurses are specialist registered nurses and we offer support to family carers who are looking after someone with dementia,” he added.

“The focus of the service is to maintain independence, to improve the quality of life for carers and families, and to provide the practical advice they need. We provide psychological support to help family carers understand and deal with their feelings, practical advice and information on dementia, its impact and how to cope.

“We can also provide referrals to other appropriate services and liaise with other professionals to provide holistic support.”

The service was originally launched in Lancashire and the Midlands in 2012 and has recently expanded into Somerset and Hampshire. There are roughly 144 admiral nurses nationally helping to provide support to individuals and families.

Either the person with dementia or the carer needs to be eligible as a beneficiary of the Legion in order to qualify for support.

For more details on how to access the service, call Adam Smith on 07971 142006 or 023 8202 5787.