Inverclyde's Alzheimer resource service is available as Dementia Awareness Week gets under way

The Alzheimer Scotland resource centre on Greenock's Nicol Street is currently closed due to COVID-19, but staff are still working and are only a phone call away.

Charity bosses have chosen Dementia Awareness Week to reassure local people living with the condition, and their families and carers, that they can still access the essential service.

Lesley Cumming, of the Inverclyde branch of Alzheimer Scotland, said: "Dementia is not on lockdown.

"Social isolation, loss of networks and disrupted routines will be a huge challenge for those people living with dementia and their carers during this crisis, particularly since they will face restrictions for an extended period of time.

"Here in Inverclyde we've adapted to the current situation by providing online and telephone support to people living with dementia, and carers who attend our day centre and community groups.

"We now offer a telephone befriending service, run with our volunteers, to help prevent social isolation.

"Our support staff have been able to offer occasional home support to those in desperate need.

"Activity packs with quizzes, puzzles, reminiscing ideas and more have been delivered to those people with dementia to help keep them and their carers stimulated."

You can call the local service on 261100 or get in touch through the Facebook page Alzheimer Scotland — Inverclyde.

Alzheimer Scotland's 24 freephone helpline is 0808 808 3000.