The helpline for dementia sufferers and their loved ones will soon become available 24 hours a day as part of a nine-year strategy plan.

The service will be extended so that anyone who needs help or advice can reach the helpline at any time, day or night, according to Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly, Justyne Caruana.

The extension of the helpline service is one element of the government’s implementation of the national strategy, which aims to remove the stigma of the mental health disease.

Dr Caruana said awareness was one of the strategy’s main pillars. The campaign, #endzheimer, also includes a website www.dementia.gov.mt, through which people can contact a professional for any inquiries they may have.

The helpline will be available 24 hours a day

There will also be an extensive media campaign involving local personalities to raise awareness.

The first personality to start the promotion was Miss World Malta, Katrina Pavia, who will be taking part in Miss World in Melbourne, Australia, later this year. A number of training sessions were given to healthcare professionals and Dr Caruana said these would also to be offered to informal carers.

The first call was made for the Dementia Intervention Team, which will offer assistance in the community. It is expected that there will be a total of four teams in the island.

The government also started working to make the community “dementia friendly” on a council-by-council basis.

“Through small things, like colour-coding public toilets or training staff who deal with people – cashiers, post office staff or local council staff – we can help make the life of dementia sufferers easier,” she said.