A MILLION people in the UK will have dementia by 2021 says the Alzheimer’s Society, which has warned people in the West Midlands are sleepwalking into a care crisis.
The charity says the general public is oblivious to the catastrophic costs of dementia care, with many in the region believing it is free on the NHS.
It says people with dementia rely on social care for support every day, with a typical spend of £100,000 which they or their families have to pay. The charity is urging the Chancellor to ring-fence £2.5billion in the Autumn Budget for social care, in order to plug the current funding gap.
“Recent funding announcements will only prevent the immediate total collapse of support, and only for those who do get some state help,” said Jenny Hughes, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society.
“The Government must recognise the true cost and guarantee everyone with dementia access to the care they want, need and deserve.”
