Kings Langley Villager Article, July 2008

Supporting local groups

Local charities and organisations do so much – often without recognition – for our communities.

As a Member of Parliament I am frequently asked to support a worthwhile cause and whenever my diary permits, I readily accept.

One such group is the Dacorum Branch of the Alzheimer's Society. Last week members organised a protest march to the Dacorum Civic Centre to protest against what they have called the ‘Dementia Tax’.

The Alzheimer’s Society has produced a report – called “The Dementia Tax” – which looks at the costs of providing care. Two thirds of people with dementia are paying for basic care such as washing, dressing and going to the toilet. In most cases this comes to more than £100 per week. It is very upsetting that people who have a devastating and incurable condition are forced to pay large amounts for, sometimes poor quality, care because it is designated ‘social care’ rather than ‘health care’.

Caring for a loved one with dementia is an exhausting and highly emotional task in itself without the addition of worrying about how to pay for help.

I am full of admiration for carers and the work they do. I have witnessed in my own family the effects of providing long term care for an Alzheimer’s patient. Carers need support and occasional respite and I am deeply concerned at the threat of closure of many respite care centres and raised the issue in a House of Commons debate earlier this year.

I support the Alzheimer’s Society’s campaign to review the current charging system which results in vulnerable people having to pay for care out of money that they should be using to buy food or heat their homes.