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Dementia patients 'face unfair care tax' | Dementia patients 'face unfair care tax' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Dementia patients in the UK face a "care tax" because they are left to sort out much of the care they need themselves, experts say. | Dementia patients in the UK face a "care tax" because they are left to sort out much of the care they need themselves, experts say. |
The Alzheimer's Society found that on average, the equivalent of £32,242 a year was spent on care per patient. | The Alzheimer's Society found that on average, the equivalent of £32,242 a year was spent on care per patient. |
But the researchers said on average only a third - £10,784 - came from NHS or council funds, leaving a shortfall. | But the researchers said on average only a third - £10,784 - came from NHS or council funds, leaving a shortfall. |
The charity said it was unfair as those with cancer or heart problems got their care free on the NHS. | The charity said it was unfair as those with cancer or heart problems got their care free on the NHS. |
The research - carried out by the London School of Economics and Kings College London - was carried out to update figures compiled by the charity in 2007. | The research - carried out by the London School of Economics and Kings College London - was carried out to update figures compiled by the charity in 2007. |
'Staggering' | 'Staggering' |
Experts looked at care provided by the NHS and paid for by councils as well as the private care market and amount of unpaid support provided by family and friends. | Experts looked at care provided by the NHS and paid for by councils as well as the private care market and amount of unpaid support provided by family and friends. |
They found that caring for dementia patients cost the UK the equivalent of £26.3bn overall, but estimated that £17.4bn - two-thirds - came from private care services or in the form of unpaid care. | They found that caring for dementia patients cost the UK the equivalent of £26.3bn overall, but estimated that £17.4bn - two-thirds - came from private care services or in the form of unpaid care. |
For the individual, that works out at £32,242 a year - £21,322 of which was not from the state. | For the individual, that works out at £32,242 a year - £21,322 of which was not from the state. |
Alzheimer's Society chief executive Jeremy Hughes said the figures were "staggering" and the lack of paid-for care was, in effect, a "dementia care tax". | Alzheimer's Society chief executive Jeremy Hughes said the figures were "staggering" and the lack of paid-for care was, in effect, a "dementia care tax". |
"If you have cancer or heart disease you can quite rightly expect that the care you need will be free. | "If you have cancer or heart disease you can quite rightly expect that the care you need will be free. |
"That is just not the case for people with dementia. Families are forced to break the bank to pay for basic care for a loved one." | "That is just not the case for people with dementia. Families are forced to break the bank to pay for basic care for a loved one." |
As well as the cost of care, researchers looked at the number of cases of dementia. | As well as the cost of care, researchers looked at the number of cases of dementia. |
They found that over the last seven years there had been no change in the proportion of older people getting the disease - it has stayed at 7.1% of over-65s. | They found that over the last seven years there had been no change in the proportion of older people getting the disease - it has stayed at 7.1% of over-65s. |
But they predicted the overall numbers would rise from 850,000 now to more than two million by 2051 because of the ageing population. | But they predicted the overall numbers would rise from 850,000 now to more than two million by 2051 because of the ageing population. |
The report said there had been a rise in younger adults with the disease - up from 17,000 to more than 40,000. But researchers said that rather than there having been a real increase, the previous study had underestimated the scale of the problem. | The report said there had been a rise in younger adults with the disease - up from 17,000 to more than 40,000. But researchers said that rather than there having been a real increase, the previous study had underestimated the scale of the problem. |
Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? What are your experiences around dementia and care? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |