September is World Alzheimer's Month, and I've been working with the Alzheimer's Society since becoming an MP in support of constituents living with dementia and those who care for them.
Prior to lockdown, my team and I were looking forward to undergoing training as Dementia Friends, to understand more about people's lived experiences, and were hoping to explore setting-up a community coffee morning for people with dementia and their carers. Unfortunately, COVID-19, lockdown and social distancing has put that on hold, but I am keen to reorganise both the training and the first coffee morning as soon as possible. I also very much hope to visit the Sutton Alzheimer's Centre soon and learn more about the services being provided in our area; I am in discussions with our local Alzheimer's Society branch to arrange this.
I have also raised dementia care with Ministers, including recently through a formal Written Question last week when I asked the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care what plans he has to bring forward a long-term social care reform proposal by the end of 2020 which recognises the additional cost of dementia care. You can keep track of the question, and the response I receive, here.
A number of constituents also got in touch with me during lockdown to raise their concerns regarding the costs of dementia care, and particularly that high costs may result in difficult financial decisions needing to be made in order to continue the vital support. I asked Ministers to update me on what support is available for the 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, and their families, to ensure they are not burdened with unreasonable costs to manage their care. I am pleased to say that I have received a response today, and you can read this in full below.
I am glad that the Government is committed to improving the care and support that it offers people living with dementia, and that this remains a priority. Ministers have confirmed that they are focused on delivering the Challenge on Dementia 2020 to make England the best country in the world for providing dementia care.
As ever, please do contact me if I can be of any help on this or any other matter.
