Personal budgets must not mean less funding or poorer services for people with dementia
Published 17 August 2011
Local authorities have reduced spending on home care by 8 per cent, according to Laing and Buisson research.
The results of the 2009/ 2010 research show an end to a 15-year period of growth in spending.
According to the report, a possible reason could be that more people are being given personal budgets. 132,000 people were receiving personal budgets and/ or direct payments, of which 40 per cent were aged over 75. Researchers found not all older people given personal budgets were willing recipients - some signed up because it was the only way they could continue to receive existing support. In some cases, changing to a personal budget resulted in less home care.
Alzheimer's Society comment:
'Personal budgets can provide control and choice - but we must ensure they are not used as an excuse for less funding or poorer services for people with dementia. We must also have services which support people with the condition, and their carers, to access and use personal budgets to best effect.'
'In the longer term, it is vital we grasp the opportunity offered by the Dilnot Commission, and develop a solution to the current broken system of funding for social care. People need high quality care, and must no longer be forced to pay a dementia tax for poor support that doesn't meet their needs.'
Andrew Chidgey
Head of Policy and Public Affairs
Alzheimer's Society
Research reference: 'Domiciliary Care UK Market Report 2011', published Wednesday, 17 August 2011 by Laing & Buisson.
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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 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
