Smarter spending would help to contain cost ‘timebomb’
Published 9 June 2010
Alzheimer’s Society is supporting a call by national charity Counsel and Care to spend smarter to help the financial crisis.
Counsel and Care want government and local councils to use social care funding more wisely to deliver better care for Britain's ageing population. Counsel and Care believes smarter spending could release up to 3 billion pounds that could be redirected to provide better care and support for the growing number of older people and their carers.
Alzheimer's Society comment:
'Action to address the current funding crisis is urgently needed and at the top of the agenda must be better spending on care for older people. Getting better at supporting people earlier can avoid costly hospital visits and can help carers carry on caring for people at home delaying or avoiding residential care. With the number of people with dementia set to reach a million in 15 years dementia has been described as a 'timebomb', but with proper planning and better use of resources the cost can be contained.'
Ruth Sutherland
Chief Executive (Acting)
Alzheimer's Society
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- One in three people over 65 will die with dementia.
- Alzheimer's Society research shows that 750,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In just 15 years 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 supports people to live well with dementia today and funds research to find a cure for tomorrow. We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. 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
