Dementia will be the new tax unless a charging revolution is achieved – Alzheimer’s Society

Embargoed until 00:01 Thursday, 30 June 2011

Publishing the results of Dementia Tax 2011, a major investigation into charging for care for people with dementia and carers, the charity is revealing that just three per cent of people with dementia have long term care insurance. More than half of those without it did not know it existed.

Alzheimer's Society has developed a five point test which it will use to determine whether any new proposals eliminate a dementia tax that leaves thousands in the UK paying huge bills for their care.  The test will check for quality, early access to care, simplicity, fairness and impact on carers.

The findings of Dementia Tax 2011 come the week before the Dilnot Commission on Funding of Care and Support is due to advise the government on future funding options for the system in England. The Commission is expected to recommend that the state and the individual must both make a contribution to costs, with a cap on care fees and incentives to stimulate a care insurance market.

The Alzheimer's Society survey questioned over 3,700 people with dementia and carers. It found:

• A quarter of people with the condition said they would have bought insurance if it was more affordable

• 52 per cent of carers said they or their loved one had to contribute to, or pay all of, the cost of their care

• Nearly half of all people surveyed (44 per cent of carers and 49 per cent of people with dementia) said on reflection, they did not wish they had taken out insurance

• The main reasons people did not take up insurance were: not knowing it exists; not anticipating care needs; not knowing they would have to contribute to care costs

The Dilnot Commission was set up last July to review the funding system for social care in England and make recommendations to the government about how to achieve an affordable and sustainable system for adults in a range of settings.

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive at Alzheimer's Society, said:

'People are often very surprised by the huge amounts they have to pay for care; yet alternative solutions like insurance are currently out of their reach.  State support is inadequate. We need a new system that can change this stark reality for millions of people and develop a long term system that works. The opportunity offered by the Dilnot Commission must not be lost.'

'We must be able to provide good quality care that provides quality of life for people with dementia. It is vital we have a long term answer to the current broken system.  We must stop forcing people to pay a dementia tax for poor quality care.'

Alzheimer's Society is a member of the Care and Support Alliance, a group of charities and organisations campaigning for radical reform of the care and support system, and supports its consensus statement on the funding of the system.

Kevin Jennings, aged 77, from Halifax in West Yorkshire, paid for his wife Jo's care. Jo died with Alzheimer's disease last August. Kevin said:

'It was so stressful having to cope with the financial pressures caused by the sky high costs of Jo's care that I ended up having a heart attack. Jo then had to go into a nursing home which cost us £250 a week - double the cost of support when I was caring for her in our home. It was a real struggle - we didn't have a bottomless pit of funds. It doesn't seem fair that families have to pay so much towards essential care.'

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For a copy of Dementia Tax 2011, more information, and spokespeople or case study interviews please contact Alzheimer's Society's press office on 020 7423 3595.

Notes to editors:

• Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Tax 2011 questioned 3,702 people with dementia and carers (411 people with dementia and 3,291 carers) from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. More details are available on request
• 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 ten 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/helpline