Will the government listen to pleas for social care reform?

Dame Barbara Windsor and her husband Scott Mitchell have recently teamed with Alzheimer’s Society to launch an open letter calling for social care reform.

Windsor was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014 and has since become an ambassador for Alzheimer’s Society.

With one million people in the UK expected to have dementia by 2021, the open letter is calling on the government to invest in much-needed dementia care. The charity plans to deliver the letter to 10 Downing Street in September.

Care is becoming inaccessible for those who cannot afford it – it’s estimated to cost individuals living with dementia and their families £100,000 – and unnecessary days in hospital are costing the NHS millions.

Our social care system urgently needs to reform to protect those living with Alzheimer’s. In the absence of an adequate system, those with dementia should plan for the future as much as possible. As dementia progresses, the question of capacity is creating yet another barrier, so it’s best to put Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney for financial decisions and health and welfare in place early.

Our Wills & Probate team are all Dementia Friends. For advice and further information, please call 0113 201 4900 or email wills.probate@emsleys.co.uk.