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In some cases, families of those living with the disease have had to rely on Admiral nurses to help them get through it, according to the charity.

Admiral nurses work alongside families, giving compassionate one-to-one support, expert guidance, and practical solutions which can be hard to find elsewhere.

Marilyn, an informal carer for her husband David who was diagnosed with vascular dementia, knows the importance of having support closer to home.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused increased stress and isolation for those with dementia as normal support networks have been disrupted by lockdowns, Dementia UK said.

She said: “We’re so grateful to have had the support of our local Admiral Nurse Kerry.

"With her knowledge of the local health and social care landscapes, Kerry could arrange a care package with physiotherapists to aid David’s mobility, speech therapists to help with his difficulty swallowing, and nutritionists to help David eat.

"She knows how much home means to us, and all of her support has given me the confidence to continue caring for David in the home we love.”

Dementia UK and Leeds Building Society have teamed up together to launch their unique ‘Closer to Home’ project to improve access to dementia care and support.

It aims to raise £500,000 and help over 2,500 families with dementia across the UK.

The four-year project will involve a dedicated support centre, or clinic, staffed by the charity’s dementia specialist Admiral Nurses, which will be offered to different communities around the UK over the coming months, allowing more families to access dementia specialist clinics at a time that suits them.

It will also mean that families in need of support can self-refer for help more easily.

Money raised so far has played a huge part in keeping Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline running, supporting over 29,000 families in the past 12 months.

Dr. Hilda Hayo, CEO and Chief Admiral Nurse at Dementia UK said: "Dementia is a condition as complex as it is devastating; families urgently need local dementia specialist support at a time when increasing numbers are affected by the condition, and when the fallout of Covid-19 has meant some local support networks have vanished completely.”

Dementia UK is the only UK charity dedicated to supporting families affected by dementia through dementia specialist Admiral Nurses.

People can find out more information about the Closer to Home project and how to book by visiting: www.dementiauk.org/get-support/closer-to-home

Dementia UK and Leeds Building Society to support 2,500 families in joint Closer to Home project