Andy Burnham backs Dementia Carers Together Appeal, saying his family would have benefited from more support

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has backed the Daily Mail and Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Carers Together Appeal after revealing how his mother was left “sinking” under the strain of caring for his father, Roy, who had Alzheimer’s disease.

'The weight is unbearable' says the Prime Minister in an exclusive Daily Mail interview.  

Speaking to the Daily Mail about his family’s experience, Mr Burnham said they had become so focused on supporting his father that they did not fully recognise the toll caring was taking on his mother, Eileen. 

He believes his family would have benefited from the practical advice and peer support the new Dementia Carers Together service will provide.

'From what I experienced, the emotional toll is a burden that is unbearable. The weight is unbearable - it gets too big. 

'I know that will ring true for some of your readers who are going through this experience.'

'I saw it directly - I saw my mum sinking under the size of that weight.'

The impact of caring for someone with dementia

He added: 'Me and my brothers have spoken about this - there was a tendency to focus on the person with dementia and miss some of what was going on around, and particularly the impact of carrying that daily burden on my mum. 

'The country is dependent upon people who are caring for partners, loved ones, unpaid and we’ve got to see them, recognise them, hear them when they say that I need more to make this sustainable.'

On his family’s experience, Mr Burnham said: 'We as a family, we had basically worked on the principle for many years that we wouldn’t want to see my dad going into care - that we would find a way [of keeping him at home].

'And I think because of that feeling that we had - and because perhaps we were looking at my dad all the time, not necessarily looking at my mum - I think it took possibly too long to make that decision.

'Credit to the care home when my dad did go in - they were great, and they did a really good job and it was the right option in that situation.

'But it was a tough journey.'

How Dementia Carers Together could help families

Commenting on Dementia Carers Together, Mr Burnham said: 'Often what happens to a family is that the diagnosis is confirmed, and in our case, you get paperwork, you get all kinds of stuff but none of it really helped. 

'It was all delivered just via pamphlets and it would have helped to have had some more practical advice as to how things will progress and what you need to be ready for - and also the whole thing about networking with people who are in a similar position, which is what would happen as a result of the classes that you would be putting on.

'People can then develop their own support network, through attending events like that. 

'From experience, just a little bit of help can make something feel bearable or doable that without it, would all of a sudden just overwhelm somebody.

'I can absolutely see that the sessions would have been helpful.'

Supporting millions of dementia carers across the UK

Across the UK, an estimated 2.5 million people provide some form of care for someone with dementia.

The new Dementia Carers Together service will combine practical information with peer support through dedicated local and online groups, helping carers understand their rights, navigate complex systems and connect with others who know what they are going through. 

The appeal forms part of the wider partnership between the Daily Mail and Alzheimer’s Society to bring the nation together to defeat dementia and improve access to information, support and care.

Pilot groups of the new service will take place from November before it rolls out to 150 sites across the UK from January.

Michelle Dyson CB, Alzheimer’s Society CEO, said:

'We are incredibly grateful to the Prime Minister for opening up about his own family’s experience and backing our Dementia Carers Together Appeal. No one caring for someone with dementia should be left to struggle without the support they need.

'Dementia Carers Together will give carers vital advice, support and the chance to connect with others who understand. We hope people across the country will join the Prime Minister in supporting the appeal so we can reach more families when they need us most.'