Ways to help Islanders with dementia are being unveiled today (Friday), as part of Dementia Action Week (May 16-22).

The aim is to improve the health and well-being of Islanders living with dementia, ensuring they and their families and carers are supported.

A launch event is planned this afternoon (Friday).

An estimated 2,655 people over the age of 65 are living with dementia on the Isle of Wight.

The Alzheimer's Society estimates that this figure will increase to 3,920 by 2030.

Preeti Sheth, interim assistant director of adult social care, said: "It is vital that people living with dementia and their carers have support to live full, independent and active lives with flexible, high-quality health and social care that meets their needs."

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust, Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Isle of Wight Council will all be working to deliver the new approach.

It has been developed by Dementia Awareness Partnership, Age UK Isle of Wight, Alzheimer Café IOW, Carers IW and Healthwatch Isle of Wight, helped by organisations including Mountbatten, Independent Arts and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Juliet Pearce, Isle of Wight NHS Trust director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, said: "This is a real opportunity for us to join up services across the Island and by working together we can make a difference and improve the care and support for people with dementia."

Councillor Karl Love, Cabinet lead for health and social care, added: “Dementia is an unforgiving disease which has a huge impact on families. Carers and those affected are the experts and we have listened to them and will make positive changes where we can.

“This strategy could not have been developed without their views and the help of the local organisations gathering evidence and feedback on the ground and I am extremely grateful to them.”