AN ONLINE support group for people seeking advice about elderly parents and relatives has launched in Dorset.

Dubbed the 'Mumsnet for the middle aged', Age Space has been set up to offer help and support for anyone dealing with an increasingly frail or dependent loved one. Its online community also provides a forum to let off steam or seek answers when things get too much.

Age Space is a national organisation but a new hub for Dorset has now been launched.

Co-founder Annabel James, 53, whose parents Jimmy and Jane James live in Wareham, came up with the idea when she and a friend found themselves discussing issues facing their own parents. They wanted to create a resource that could help bridge the generational gap and break many of the taboos people face when talking about parents’ failing health, such as incontinence and dementia.

Annabel said: “I knew that Dorset would be the perfect area for our second local online hub.

“There is a lot of great information and organisations providing help, but it can be hard to navigate, particularly in a crisis situation. I wanted to provide a single source and a trusted guides."

The Dorset site signposts to local services, and offers guidance on all aspects of elderly care, particularly around funding and choosing care; there is a directory of Dorset-based services for elderly people, a calendar of local activities, forums, blog posts and articles from partners including Poundbury Wealth Management in Dorchester.

As Older People’s Day approaches on October 1, research commissioned by Age Space shows that more than half of all Britons aged over 45 are giving practical, financial, health or personal care to ageing parents.

More than 28 per cent of the population of rural Dorset are aged over 65, compared to the national average of 18 per cent. The number of over 65s in the county is set to increase by 50 per cent over the next 25 years.

Dorset County Council says many more families will need to act as carers if the system is to cope adequately in the future.

Annabel James added: “Our research shows the need for much better information and signposting to advice and support for the generation that has the responsibility of ‘parenting the parent.’

“This is a major issue for employers, communities and families.”

Tim Gallego, a partner at Poundbury Wealth Management said: “We are delighted to partner Age Space in the launch of its new Dorset website.

“If you are a self-funder, the earlier that you seek expert advice on care fees planning, the more options you have available to you.”

Age Space can be found at agespace.org at @Agespace on Twitter and Age Space on Facebook.