THE wife of a middle-aged dementia sufferer has criticised the lack of services for younger patients.

Carole Woodcock, 50, from Darlington, made her comments at a recent conference on younger people with dementia in the town.

The conference was organised by the Darlington and district branch of the Alzheimer's Society.

Mrs Woodcock, whose husband Ian was recently admitted to a care home with advanced Alzheimer's Disease after developing it in his late 50s, told health and voluntary sector workers: "Nothing happened after Ian was diagnosed, we were just left to get on with it."

The lack of care and support for younger people with dementia in the region was highlighted by Dr Don Brechin, a consultant neuro-psychologist who runs the Young Onset Dementia Team in Middlesbrough.

Dr Brechin, who is in contact with 130 patients on Teesside, said main population centres like Newcastle and Gateshead had similar teams but there was very little in between. Yorkshire was also poorly served, he added.

He stressed the advantages of trying to support people with dementia in their own homes.

"Community-based care will cost £8,000 a year compared to long-term care in a residential home, which can cost £32,000 per annum," said Dr Brechin.

Research suggested large numbers of younger dementia sufferers in County Durham and Darlington were not known to health and social services, he added.

Colin Cosgrove of the Alzheimer's Society said the national provision of specialist services for younger people is "absolutely appalling."

Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo, who introduced the speakers, said: "It is clear there is a problem with inconsistency of service.

"There is a need for people to know where to turn for help and support."

Brian Key, executive director for performance and modernisation at Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust, said there were no similar young onset teams in County Durham.

However, he said: "We are highly supportive and appreciative of Alzheimer's societies locally who operate a day service and outreach service."

Julie Oliver, of the County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust, said: "We provide a range of services for people with mental health problems but that doesn't currently include early onset dementia.

"However, anyone who is referred to us with early onset Alzheimer's will be seen by a consultant psychologist."