Alzheimer’s Society comment on Annual Survey of UK Local Authority Baseline Fee Rates 2009/10

Baseline fee rates for the 200,000 council supported elderly people in independent sector care homes across the UK have received an average uplift of 2.6% for financial year 2009/10, according to Laing & Buisson's annual survey published in the June edition of Community Care Market News. This is a slight fall compared to the 3% increase seen in last year's round of uplifts.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'Everyday over 250, 000 people with dementia in care homes need care and support. Good care homes show us that good care can make a huge difference to people's quality of life but sadly there is a huge variation in the quality of care being delivered. Often the difference between good care and poor care is the amount of money invested in resources, training, support and staff.

'In these times of unprecedented fiscal stringency and low rises in baseline fee, councils and care homes must show extra vigilance when commissioning for quality care. The proposed green paper on Adult Funding of Social Care must also deliver a transparent, fair and sustainable system of who pays for care.'

Neil Hunt
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society

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Notes to editors:

• Baseline fee rates are defined as the gross weekly fee that local authorities are prepared to pay independent sector nursing and residential homes for the care of individuals for whom they accept financial responsibility.
• The Department of Health is expected to publish a green paper setting out proposals for the long-term reform of adult social care funding in June 2009.
• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, 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 by 2051.
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them.
• Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to help people live well with dementia today and for research to find a cure for tomorrow. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk
• Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk
• Press Office 0207 423 3595 Email: press@alzheimers.org.uk
• Alzheimer's Society, Devon House 58 St Katherine's Way, London, E1W 1JX United Kingdom