The York branch of the Alzheimer's Disease Society is grateful to the Evening Press for highlighting Age Concern's appeal for male volunteers to work with men with dementia on a one-to-one basis (November 23). However, we would like to clarify one or two points raised in the article. Firstly, we emphasise that the men referred to in the article had been referred to day centres for the specific medical condition of Alzheimer's disease or other illness of the mind.

These day centres, mainly run by the York Health Trust, provide specialist assessment and monitoring facilities for those with dementia. They also give a much needed break to a carer who often has the full 24-hour a day responsibility for the patient for the rest of the week.

Secondly, the comparison with St Sampson's Centre in the article is misleading. St Sampson's is an excellent drop-in and social centre for retired people and not a day centre in the medical sense. I should like to reinforce Monica Dunham of Age Concern's appeal for male volunteers to provide companionship for men in the earlier stages of dementia.

Because of the debilitating nature of the illness, the men concerned cannot always articulate their feelings and can feel very isolated. People wishing to volunteer, need advice or further details should contact Monica on 01904 627995 or the York branch on 01904 430020.

Gill Myers,

Administrator,

York Branch Alzheimer's Disease Society,The Retreat,

Heslington Road,

York.

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