Alzheimer's Society comment on Green Paper for Funding of Adult Social Care in England

Publishing the Green Paper Shaping the Future of Care Together the government pledged a radical overhaul of the current charging system and welcomed debate on which model was fit for the future. The government acknowledges that people with dementia and carers are among those who pay the largest bills for care.

'Today the Big Care Debate begins on three new models of funding social care, an essential lifeline for millions of people. Only a system that delivers good care at a fair price will succeed.  Currently, if you are unfortunate enough to be amongst the one in three people over 65 who die with dementia you could face enormous bills for poor quality care. This is a gamble people shouldn't be forced to take.

Everyone must join the call for a system that is robust enough to tackle the rising dementia challenge and give people a better quality of life.  A national care service is a bold vision and it will take courage to see it through. It cannot afford to fail.'

Neil Hunt
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society

Ends

Charging for care - notes to editors

• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia
• Number of people living with dementia will double in a generation and the costs will triple.
• People with dementia and carers face some of the largest bills for often poor quality care. The majority of their care is classed as 'social care' which is means tested. They also require complex care over a long period of time in comparison to other conditions. It is not unusual for people to have to pay large amounts for four to five years of living with the condition.
• By 2050 there will be twice as many people aged over 85 and overall costs will increase fourfold (Sue Collins (June 2007), How can funding of long-term care adapt for an ageing population? Joseph Rowntree Foundation)
• The King's Fund estimates that the cost of dementia in England to the NHS, local authorities and individuals will rise from £15 billion now to over £23 billion by 2018. The same report also estimates that by 2027 spend on dementia will make up 75% of mental health costs[i]
• The last State of Social Care report estimated that 450,000 older people have some shortfall in their care mainly because of tightening eligibility criteria. (CSCI State of Social Care 2008 (published Jan 09)

Alzheimer's Society

• 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

For futher information please contact the press office on 0207 423 3595 or email press@alzheimers.org.uk

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[i] McCrone, P., Knapp, M., et al.,2008, Paying the Price: The cost of mental health care in England to 2026. King's Fund