Tracey Hansford has been appointed to support families facing dementia in the Sid Valley
A new specialist dementia nurse has been appointed to Devon’s first Admiral Nurse service, supporting the increasing number of families living with the condition in the area.
When things get challenging or difficult for people with dementia and their families, Admiral Nurses work alongside them, giving the compassionate one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions that can be difficult to find elsewhere. They are a lifeline – helping families to live more positively with dementia in the present, and to face the challenges of tomorrow with more confidence and less fear.
The Sid Valley Admiral Nurse service was launched in March 2017, as a result of a committed fundraising campaign in the community, led by the Sid Valley Memory Café and supported by the Sidmouth Herald. The National Lottery Community Fund also provided funding for the service for the first three years. The service costs approximately £50,000 per year to run and is fully supported by, and dependent on, funding from the local community. The local community continue to sustain the service through a range of fundraising events and generous donations.
Tracey is employed by the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and works as part of Sidmouth’s community nursing team. She started her new role on 3rd February 2020.
Tracey brings a wealth of nursing and personal experience to the role of Admiral Nurse, having several years of experience with caring for people with dementia and supporting relatives and carers of the condition.
Tracey said that it was a privilege to be taking up this role. She added:
“This is a fantastic opportunity to work in partnership with the local community, and to be supported by Dementia UK in my new role as Admiral Nurse. My focus is on looking after the families who dedicate themselves to caring for their loved one. They need someone to advocate for them and who can provide them with the specialist dementia support that they need.”
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