Methodist Homes for the Aged chairman Paul Le Boutillier at newly-built Alzheimer’s and dementia care home Maison de Quetteville, which is due to open towards the end of the year. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0829882)

MORE people want a bed at dementia care unit Maison de Quetteville than there will be spaces for.

There is no official waiting list, but directors have allowed people to register interest in taking one of the 29 places.

The Guernsey Press launched the Maison Million Home Appeal in 2007 to help raise £1m. towards the cost of building the facility after it was revealed that many carers were struggling to cope with looking after a loved one suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Readers have so far helped to raise an amazing £900,000 after a huge variety of fund-raising events.

News that spaces in the specialist care unit are in high demand reinforces the belief that extra facilities are needed.

Methodist Homes for the Aged chairman Paul Le Boutillier said an official waiting list had not been started yet because a sufferer’s circumstances could change a great deal within a few months.

‘The head of home will be able to get in touch with the people on the expressions-of-interest list nearer the time of opening, which will be towards the end of the year,’ he said.

‘The list is probably longer than we anticipated. We have been surprised by how many people have put their names down on it.’

He said the home was looking to take in people who were in the early to middle stage of Alzheimer’s or dementia.