Care Home Funding

A National Charity is calling for a change in Care Home funding as research discovers that people suffering from Dementia effectively face an unfair “care tax”.

In a report published today (Wednesday 10^th September) the Alzheimer’s Society has exposed the significant cost of dementia each year and the “staggering financial and human impact” of dementia.

Research conducted by the London School of Economics highlights how people with dementia, their carers and families shoulder two-thirds of the costs of care are themselves.

The research found that caring for dementia patients costs the UK the equivalent of £26.3bn overall, but estimates that £17.4bn – two-thirds – came from private care services or in the form of unpaid care.

The Alzheimer’s Society chief executive Jeremy Hughes said the figures were “staggering” and the lack of paid-for care was, in effect, a “dementia care tax”.

“If you have cancer or heart disease you can quite rightly expect that the care you need will be free.

“That is just not the case for people with dementia. Families are forced to break the bank to pay for basic care for a loved one.”

The Alzheimer’s Society is calling for a successor to the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia, which is scheduled to end in just over six months, and for them to prioritise:

• A 66 per cent dementia diagnosis rate across all areas so that people do not miss out on the support currently available – with a commitment now to reach 75 per cent by 2017
• No one to wait longer than 12 weeks from seeing their GP to diagnosis
• A guarantee that everyone has access to a Dementia Adviser or equivalent following a diagnosis to help them live as well as possible at all stages of the condition

With the increasing number of people being diagnosed with dementia each year, Lasting Powers of Attorney in particular can prove essential when helping your loved ones get their affairs in order.

At Browell Smith & Co we have specialist Solicitors that can advise you and your family on how to prepare for the future and we would recommend you contact us for further information