Vicki Combe Public Affairs Manager Alzheimers Society - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Presentation to Westminster Health Forum Vicki Combe Public Affairs Manager Alzheimer’s Society ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

A 30 year campaign for… ...good quality dementia care at a fair price. A LONG WAY FROM THAT ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

Why does the current charging for care system amount to a ‘dementia tax’ ? People with dementia and their families are hit hardest (as a group) by charges for care: - Care charges for care at home for a number of years - Residential and nursing care at up to £600 a week often for over 2 years which can means homes are sold and savings used. - The majority of care that people with dementia receive is regarded as ‘social care’ and as a result is means tested. ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

Green Paper on social care - what is on the table ? Launch of a National Care Service • A national system to assess care and support needs which is portable. You would get the same level of care and same proportion paid for wherever you live. • Emphasis on developing prevention services. • Improved information and support for all. • Personalised care and support . ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

How successful was the Big Care debate? Alzheimer’s Society welcomes the debate on the Green Paper and the fact that social care will be a key priority at the general election Our response to Green Paper informed by 1500 people with dementia, their carers, volunteers, staff. We gathered views via questionnaires, on-line surveys and 5 consultation events. ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

What principles of the proposed NCS did people with dementia and their carers welcome? (1) National assessment ‘Good. Rules out national lottery. Good! Our neighbouring borough is free; we pay £11 per hour. If you need two carers, £22 per hour.’ BUT clarity is required on assessment criteria: we need to be satisfied that people with lower level needs get support. ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

What principles of the proposed NCS did people with dementia and their carers welcome? (2) Prevention Low level services - peer support networks, help with shopping, DIY or housework - and information and support should be key to NCS. Recommend: Dementia care advisers to help people navigate system ‘ There is a real problem finding out what you are entitled to. You get lost in this maze called social services’ Carer ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

How can the NCS fulfill its aims… By providing guarantees about the amount of care and quality of care that people can expect as part of a new National Care Service. Possible guarantees: • The system will deliver an earlier response than it currently does, eg provide access to low level services • Every person with dementia can expect that the health and social workforce understand how to deliver quality care and support to people with dementia • Every carer has access to regular, short breaks • Every person can expect that the NHS and NCS works closely together to support people to live independent lives. ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

And finally…. We’ve been talking about the need for a lot of what is being suggested for years. We need action.’ Comment from a carer respondent to Alzheimer’s Society consultation on the Green Paper. ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

For further information Please contact: Vicki Combe: vcombe@alzheimers.org.uk Or visit alzheimers.org.uk ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk