Alzheimer's Society Comment On Current System Of Charging For Care, UK

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 05 Mar 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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The publication by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation proposes four steps to make things better for people in the short-term while the government works towards long-term changes to how we pay for care.

'This report opens the debate on how the government must bring immediate financial relief to people kicked to the ground by a broken system of paying for care, but short-term measures will not be enough. The shocking truth is that thousands of vulnerable people with dementia are being forced to pay large amounts for vital care, which is often poor quality.

One in three people over 65 will die with dementia. The situation will get much worse unless long-term solutions are put in place. We urgently need a political consensus to move towards a transparent, sustainable and fair system.'

Neil Hunt
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society

Alzheimer's Society calls for a system that

- Is transparent sustainable and fair
- Recognises that dementia will be the health and social care challenge of the 21st century
- Guarantees everyone a basic level of good quality care
- Ensures people with dementia are not penalised because of the length of time they require care
- Addresses the need to improve the quality of care by investing more money and resource in dementia not just meet the expected shortfall.
- Removes disincentives for social services, NHS and ancilliary services to work together to better look after people with dementia

Alzheimer's Society

- 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 will die with dementia.
- Alzheimer's Society research shows dementia costs the UK £17 billion. This figure is predicted to treble in the next 30 years.
- 570,000 people have a form of dementia in England, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people in UK by 2051.
- Dementia is not a natural part of ageing; it is caused by diseases of the brain and robs people of their lives.
- Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and those who care for them. Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

- Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to care for people today and to find a cure for tomorrow. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting http://www.alzheimers.org.uk

Alzheimer's Society

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