HEALTH chiefs and council leaders are to put together a plan to give more help to elderly people suffering from mental illness.

Members of Blackburn with Darwen Council's social services department became concerned about the lack of specialist help when they took responsibility for care services from Lancashire County Council.

Already, members of the East Lancashire Health Authority have met with council officials to discuss what can be done to improve services.

The Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Trusts, Communicare Trusts, Age Concern, GPs and carers have also been involved in discussions.

A report which will be presented to members of Blackburn with Darwen Council's adults committee says people with dementia are having their needs met, but only within mainstream care and without any specialist help.

It adds: "Services are not geared to meet the needs of this most vulnerable group and in trying to meet these needs, those providing the service meet the needs of other people in their care less than they would wish.

"It is also likely that carers and family members of those with dementia are less inclined to seek help and access service, particularly in the case of those coping with the consequences of early dementia."

A package of ideas to help solve the problems have been put together including more co-operation between different agencies, making services more flexible and giving better details of the availability of services to carers.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's adults sub committee will discuss the issues at a town hall meeting tomorrow.

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