Government to announce cap on care costs, say media reports
Published 7 January 2013
Today (Monday 7 January) the government is expected to announce that it will be responding to the Dilnot proposals by legislating to change the rules on charging for social care services in England.
It is being suggested in the media that they will announce a cap of £75,000 on 'care costs' and a raising of the means test threshold limit to £100,000. There are mixed reports about when the changes would come into force.
Alzheimer's Society comment:
'This commitment to cap social care costs and raise the means test threshold is a triumph for the thousands of campaigners demanding changes. Many families face a 'Dementia Tax', paying tens of thousand of pounds for care that results from a medical condition. But the devil will be in the detail. The government must provide clarity and a timetable as soon as possible so people know how to plan for care costs now. These changes will help people in the future but we strongly urge the government to look at how to cap the costs for people paying huge sums for care today.
'We also call on all political parties to tackle the separate but related challenge of making sure that there is enough funding in the care system to provide access to good quality care for people at the right time. Ministers in Wales and Northern Ireland must also act to ensure that people there have the prospect of a better deal too.'
Jeremy Hughes
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society
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Notes to editors:
- One in three people over 65 will develop with dementia
- Alzheimer's Society research shows that 800,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 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 has a plan to deal with dementia. Help us support people to live well today and fight for a world without dementia 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 0300 222 11 22 or visit alzheimers.org.uk
