Politicians missing the point says Alzheimer's Society

'Problems of quality and cost arise because three-quarters of people in care homes have Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia', Harry Cayton, chief executive of the Society said.

Harry Cayton continued,

'Good dementia care is expensive and needs to be expensive if people with this highly complex and demanding condition are to be cared for well. The problem is that the vast majority should be receiving free health care because they are ill. People with Alzheimer's Disease are doubly penalised, they have to pay for their care, but also through their home fees for GP services.

Like Mr Duncan Smith we are concerned that many small and sometimes good care homes are having to shut, but under the last Conservative Government, an estimated 40,000 NHS long term care beds for people with dementia were closed and patients transferred to the private sector.'

Notes for editors

• The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.
• Over 700,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's disease.
• Research by Manchester University found that some people living in nursing homes are paying for medical care, a lot of which should be free, because of some homes having private arrangements with GPs. Dementia affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in five over the age of 80.
• For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336. Our website address is: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/.