Madam,

I was eager to respond to a recent letter regarding dementia care and the development at the council’s Llys Cadfan residential home in Tywyn.

In it, the unnamed author rightly draws attention to significant investment in developing dementia units in four of the council’s residential care homes.

One of those facilities is Llys Cadfan which has provided an element of dementia care since 2009, and the latest development means that the home now provides care for up to 15 people living with dementia. Following further investment from the council, we have been able to recruit additional staff and are in the process of registering with Care Inspectorate Wales.

Too often, people with dementia have in the past had to seek the residential care they require in facilities far from their family and friends.

I’m very pleased that the advanced care we are now providing from Llys Cadfan means that more people living with dementia are able to stay in their community for far longer.

I’m sure that the author of the recent letter in your paper is also well aware that, in its most advanced stages, dementia can be severe and require specialist nursing care. In such circumstances it may be necessary to seek more specialist nursing care provided by health professionals. I’m glad to say that we are working with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to provide a more specialist level of care for residents who have severe needs through additional nursing support at Llys Cadfan.

Whilst we recognise that recruiting staff for these roles is challenging, we believe that providing additional health support to the home will ensure that people living with dementia will be able to receive the care they need within their community for longer, without having to leave the area. This is our desire, and we are continuing to work with our partners from the health sector to deliver this important new way of working.

I understand that this can be a difficult and very challenging matter for families, and I would be happy to meet and discuss our efforts in this important field with the author of the letter that appeared in the Cambrian News.

Yours etc,

Cllr Gareth Roberts, Cabinet member for adults health and wellbeing, Gwynedd Council.

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