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…

________________________________________________________________________________________

alzheimers.org.uk

...good quality dementia care at a fair price.

A LONG WAY FROM THAT

Why does the current charging for care system amount to a ‘dementia tax’ ?

________________________________________________________________________________________

alzheimers.org.uk

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
• ver 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.

Green Paper on social care - what is on the table ?

________________________________________________________________________________________

alzheimers.org.uk

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.

How successful was the Big Care debate?

________________________________________________________________________________________

alzheimers.org.uk

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.

What principles of the proposed NCS did people with dementia and their carers welcome? (1)

________________________________________________________________________________________

alzheimers.org.uk

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.

What principles of the proposed NCS did people with dementia and their carers welcome? (2)

________________________________________________________________________________________

alzheimers.org.uk

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

How can the NCS fulfill its aims…

________________________________________________________________________________________

alzheimers.org.uk

By providing guarantees about the amount of care and quality

• f 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.

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

And finally….

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

________________________________________________________________________________________

alzheimers.org.uk