A DEVASTATED carer will lose her precious “haven” after the Alzheimer’s Society announced it is closing its dementia support group in Basingstoke.

Carers across the town have used the group monthly to discuss the difficulties they face while caring for loved ones who suffer with Alzheimer’s and dementia. 

Each meeting gave the carers a unique chance to talk to each other and offer brief respite away from the task of looking after their partners or other family members.

But now, the Alzheimer’s Society has reviewed the service and has found it to be undersubscribed and no longer cost effective.

“How do we cope now?,” 60-year-old Pam Squirrell, who cares for her husband David Squirrell, said.

“They highlight the rising numbers of dementia cases across the country and the next thing you know is the service is being cut.

“Apparently there will be a helpline to call, but that’s so impersonal and for carers like me, having that chance to talk through experiences once a month with people in the same position is important.”

Mr Squirrell is 66 and was diagnosed with dementia in 2012. 

Mrs Squirrell, from Popley, feels that although the group can often have 12 members present at the monthly meetings, publicity for the meetings has been poor.

“So many people could use this in the area because it’s not just a handful of people that are affected by dementia,” Mrs Squirrell said.

“If people knew about the service they would come along but people aren’t aware of it.

“This group is a haven for carers because our partners or people we are looking after with dementia are not allowed to come along - we can have a breather.

“The closure of this group was so unexpected.”

Chris Wyatt, Alzheimer’s Society regional operations manager for the South East, said: “Our carers support group in Basingstoke is significantly undersubscribed, with an average of two people accessing the service once a month. 

“We have a duty to provide cost effective and sustainable services that meet the needs of as many people affected by dementia as possible. 

“We have a dementia support worker available to explain about the condition but also signpost people with dementia and carers to the support services available, as well as our Dementia Café and Singing for the Brain.

“Alzheimer’s Society will be supporting our service users, staff and volunteers throughout this period of change and remain committed to providing a range of support services for people affected by dementia in Basingstoke.”

Mrs Squirrell is keen to ensure that other carers in the area can still have an opportunity to talk to fellow carers.

She aims to arrange informal monthly meetings for carers and is urging those interested to email her on grannypammy6@gmail.com.

For more information on the Alzheimer’s Society or to get more advice on the disease visit alzheimers.org.uk.