A new national commitment to give help and advice to people diagnosed with dementia in Scotlandcame into force on 31 March.

The first of its kind in the world, the commitment will see a named support worker creating tailored care plans to help people with dementia and their families understand the illness, manage its symptoms and plan for future care.

The commitment is based on Alzheimer Scotland’s Five Pillar Model of Post-Diagnostic Support and was made possible following significant research and practical work by the charity to address this major public health issue.

Up to 86,000 people are estimated to have dementia in Scotland, a number that is expected to double over the next 25 years.