A new resource has been developed by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust for younger people who have been diagnosed with dementia.
It is a digital “app” which can be downloaded free of charge on to a mobile phone or tablet computer. It brings together up to date information, advice, and inspiration from others who have the condition.
It is estimated there are more than 800 people with Young Onset Dementia in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland – people who developed symptoms before reaching the age of 65.
Clare Kozlowski, a community manager for LPT, said: “People with young onset dementia have very different needs from those who develop the condition in old age.
“They may have jobs, children at school, and a range of social activities which they are involved with.
“There is a lot of information for older people with dementia, but it is harder to find relevant information for those in the younger age group. That is why we have developed this app, which keeps all of the information in one place.
“While gathering patient feedback, one patient told us it would have saved him six months of research if we had this app available when he was diagnosed.”
The app was developed by Leicestershire Health Informatics Service (LHIS), and funded by NHS England and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust. It is available free of charge from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Gemma Clayton, LHIS’s business and marketing manager, said: “One of the advantages of the app is that you can take it away and look at it in your own time, or with your family and carers. It is also being updated constantly so you have the very latest information on services, legal issues, finance and benefits, transport and many other topics.”
