Alzheimer's Society comment on OECD report - long-term care spending

The report suggested this was driven by ageing populations, and suggested governments needed to make long-term care policies more affordable as well as providing better support for family carers.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'This report reinforces what we have been saying for a long time - large and increasing numbers of families are being forced to spend their life savings on care. 750,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, yet these people are some of the hardest hit by care costs. People have no choice but to pay huge amounts for poor quality care, resulting in a 'dementia tax'.

'In just 10 years, a million people will be living with dementia. We must ensure that people with dementia get the high quality care which is so essential for their needs at a fair price. Systems of paying for care must not penalise people with dementia or carers.'

Andrew Chidgey
Head of Policy and Public Affairs
Alzheimer's Society