Dementia Support Line
Fighting for better: Alzheimer’s Society turns 40
As we mark 40 years of the Society, we speak to the campaigners working to end injustice for everyone affected by dementia.
After four decades of campaigning, Alzheimer’s Society has 135,000 e-campaigners, along with many more campaigners on the ground in local communities. They give a political voice to our cause by signing petitions, attending events and sharing their support on social media.
‘Our campaigns ensure that the views and opinions of people affected by dementia are heard at the highest levels of government, so that those in power address the issues that people face,’ says Ele Yorke, Campaigns Officer.
We’ve had numerous campaign successes since the Society was formed in 1979, but recent ones include the Welsh Government’s development of a Dementia Action Plan and NHS England’s call for every hospital trust to publish an annual ‘dementia statement’.
Talking to politicians at conferences helps us get our message across
No exaggeration
Our Fix Dementia Care campaign, which has previously focused on homecare and hospitals, is now demanding an end to the injustice that people face across social care.
This includes the scandal of people with dementia paying more for their care than those with other conditions. We want a system that works for everyone affected by dementia, and nearly 150 MPs have pledged their support so far.
Sandy Sweet, a campaigner whose mother has Alzheimer’s, spoke to the Prime Minster at last year’s Conservative Party Conference about how difficult it is to access quality dementia care at an affordable price.
‘It’s important that people realise we are not exaggerating the problems people face, as unless you’ve been there yourself it’s difficult to understand the issues,’ says Sandy.
‘Everyone needs to know that, as things currently stand, you will have to pay more for your social care, you may be looked after by people who have no training in your condition and you may struggle to access funding that you are entitled to, simply because of the complexities of the system.’
Fix Dementia Care
Demand that the government reforms the social care system.
Stand up
Hilary Doxford, 59, was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in December 2012. Campaigning with us, she met Jeremy Hunt several times when he was health secretary to make sure he understood the changes that are needed.
‘If people don’t stand up and do something, nothing will change,’ says Hilary. ‘I don’t feel I can sit back and watch others do it. I want to give something back while I can.
‘So many people with dementia can’t voice their opinion, so it’s very important that these campaigns speak for them. It also reinforces the campaign if people with dementia can be part of that voice.’
With the support of our campaigners, we will continue to pressure the government to fix dementia care for good.
‘In another 10 years, it is unlikely that there will be anyone living in the UK who isn’t touched by dementia in some way or another,’ says Sandy. ‘Everyone should get involved with this campaign, whether they are currently affected by dementia or not.’