Alzheimer’s Society comment on new Healthcare Commission Report: Equality in Later Life (National study of older people’s mental health services)
Published 31 March 2009
The report shows that, whilst improvements are being made in areas where health and social services are well integrated, there is still a high level of discrimination.
In its study of services for older people at six specialist mental health trusts, the Commission found that people over 65 are often denied access to the full range of mental health services available to younger adults.
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society
Full report available from www.healthcarecommission.org.uk
About Alzheimer's Society
Alzheimer's Society is the leading care and research charity for people with all forms of dementia and their carers. It provides information and education, support for carers, and quality day and home care. It funds medical and scientific research and campaigns for improved health and social services and greater public understanding of dementia.
The Alzheimer's Society provides a national help line on 0845 3000 336 and website alzheimers.org.uk. Please include this information in any publication that uses these comments.
For more information please contact the press office on 0207 423 3595 or press@alzheimers.org.uk
'Alzheimer's Society welcomes the new report from the Healthcare Commission. For too long people with dementia have had to put up with limited access to adequate services simply because of their age.Neil Hunt
The knock on impact in terms of the cost to society is significant. £15 billion is currently spent on dementia in England alone. The King's Fund estimates that this will rise to over £23 billion by 2018 if nothing is done to improve quality and cost effectiveness of care.
The report highlights that urgent attention must be paid to improving services for the over 65s and echoes our conviction that strong leadership is an essential part of this.
The National Dementia Strategy for England offers us an opportunity to revolutionise services for older people. As this report shows, Service Providers and Commissioners must work together to fully implement the Strategy and monitor its outcomes if change is to be delivered.'
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society
Full report available from www.healthcarecommission.org.uk
About Alzheimer's Society
Alzheimer's Society is the leading care and research charity for people with all forms of dementia and their carers. It provides information and education, support for carers, and quality day and home care. It funds medical and scientific research and campaigns for improved health and social services and greater public understanding of dementia.
The Alzheimer's Society provides a national help line on 0845 3000 336 and website alzheimers.org.uk. Please include this information in any publication that uses these comments.
For more information please contact the press office on 0207 423 3595 or press@alzheimers.org.uk
