Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana and St Vincent de Paul CEO Josianne Cutajar today launched the dementia helpline 1771, which aims to tackle queries related to dementia.

Although the helpline will operate from SVPR, the service is open to everyone.

Addressing journalists at the elderly people's residence, Dr Caruana explained that four nurses will operate the service. She said the 1771 number was chosen so that it can easily be remembered. She said that this new service, coupled with the Dementia Intervention Team service which will operate in regional hubs, will lead to a quality leap in the heath sector.

Queries on dementia made by callers will be addressed by the team of professionals. The helpline’s nurses will then assist callers on a way forward while also informing them on all the dementia-related services available. Those who would require a specific service would receive an application by post a few days after they make their request. Citing an example, Dr Caruana said that in the event a caller requests a nursing service at home, this is dealt with there and then and an application is sent to the home of the caller.

The helpline will operate day and night.

Dr Caruana said, when asked, that there are 6,000 dementia patients in Malta and Gozo but pointed out that it is predicted that a number of people have dementia but have not been diagnosed. The national dementia strategy, she said, aims to tackle this problem.

Photos: Jonathan Borg