People With Dementia Feel Betrayed

Ken Oxley is Media Officer for the Alzheimer’s Society in the North East and Cumbria

Contact: Name: Ken Oxley 0191 2983989 / 07483 926575 
ken.oxley@alzheimers.org.uk

The chronic underfunding of our social care system is a problem that is not going to go away.
 
It’s estimated a staggering three quarters of local authorities do not currently have the resources to provide care for everyone who needs it in their area. And more than one in four people say social care is worse now than it was five years ago.
 
Many thousands of people are spending their life savings on care – and despite this they don’t always get the level of support they need.
 


It is clear that we are dealing with the collapse of a system that is simply not fit for purpose and in need of a major overhaul.
 
Yet the government seems determined to kick the issue into the long grass. Last week’s budget was an opportunity to stop paying lip service and to instigate real change. But whilst more funding was promised for the NHS, which we applaud, nothing was earmarked for social care.
 
No wonder people with dementia and their carers feel betrayed and abandoned.
 
They cannot go on as they have been – scrimping and saving, unable to adequately heat their homes and selling treasured possessions in order to pay for care.
 
The current social care system is unsustainable and requires fundamental reform – the government has acknowledged this much by promising a consultation on care reform in the last Queen’s Speech.
 
But the time for talk has passed. There are 850,000 people in the UK with dementia, almost 5,000 of them in Northumberland. And that figure will rise to more than one million by 2012. They need help. And they need it now.
 
Ken Oxley is Media Officer for the Alzheimer’s Society in the North East and Cumbria.


About Alzheimer's Society:

• Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading dementia charity. We provide information and support, fund research, campaign to improve care and create lasting change for people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Dementia devastates lives. Alzheimer’s Society research shows that 850,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia. By 2021, 1 million people will be living with the condition. This will soar to two million by 2051.
• Dementia deaths are rising year on year and 225,000 will develop dementia this year - that’s one every three minutes.
• Dementia costs the UK economy over £26 billion per year. This is the equivalent of more than £30,000 per person with dementia. 
• Alzheimer’s Society funds research into the cause, care, cure and prevention of all types of dementia and has committed to spend at least £150 million on research over the next decade. This includes a £50 million investment in the UK's first dedicated Dementia Research Institute.
• Until the day we find a cure, Alzheimer's Society will be here for anyone affected by dementia - wherever they are, whatever they're going through. Everything we do is informed and inspired by them.
• Let's take on dementia together. Volunteer. Donate. Campaign for change. Whatever you do, unite with us against dementia. 
• Alzheimer’s Society relies on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. You can donate now by calling 0330 333 0804 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk.  
• Alzheimer’s Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0300 222 11 22 or visit alzheimers.org.uk  
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