Alzheimer’s Society responds to social care reform announcement

The announcement comes a week after the release of an Alzheimer's Society's report setting out a ten-year plan to fix social care, including detailed recommendations to drive up the quality of care for people with dementia.
 
Fiona Carragher, Director of Research and Influencing, Alzheimer’s Society said:

'We’re pleased to see the Prime Minister honour his long-standing promise to fix social care today. Along with the 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, their carers and families, we have waited a long time for this historic moment and look forward to engaging with the details of the plan.

'People affected by dementia, the majority using social care, have struggled for far too long without affordable, accessible, quality care and support. This marks a real platform for change for a system that needs to offer choice and the chance to live the best life possible. However, funding is only part of the puzzle.

The Government must ensure a fair and sustainable system of social care which provides the very best quality care and support now and in the future.

'A cap would need to be considerably lower than the worryingly high £86,000 proposed by the Government if it’s to make a difference for more than a handful of people with dementia. We are also concerned about the distribution of the funding and how it will impact social care reform. Social care must be treated on equal footing with our world-class NHS if we are to see real change.

'We are eager to see the Government follow with the details of their long-term plan for reform with a clear timetable for delivery and not let down the hopes of the 850,000 people with dementia and their families.'