Does anyone else feel that the needs of people with working age dementia are not acknowledged?
When Dementia makes the news it seems to focus on the needs of the elderly and there is rarely any mention of younger people. A prime example is the news this week that Labour has announced plans to fund Care for older people - an announcement welcomed by Alzheimer’s Society CEO, Jeremy Hughes. This would have been an excellent opportunity for Mr Hughes to remind those in power that there are younger people with dementia who need help too, but no, as usual the Alzheimer's society completely forgets about those with working age dementia.
I sympathise with anyone who is suffering from this terrible disease, but it is far harder for young people. Beyond the age of 65 a partner has plenty of time to be a carer and has a pension to provide a financial cushion. But, when you are middle aged and are still trying to build a pension fund how are you suddenly expected to give up your income and live off a pittance. Why is no one fighting our corner?
The Alzheimer’s Society adverts on TV give the impression, to the uninitiated, that Alzheimer’s is all about little old ladies who become a bit forgetful. Never any mention of young people losing their jobs, their spouse struggling to keep their job and do the caring role, complete changes in personality, becoming incontinent. The Macmillan TV advert paints a clear picture about how devastating a diagnosis of cancer can be, I don’t think the Alzheimer’s ad does the same.
Isn’t it time the Alzheimer’s Society had a Working Age Dementia Champion helping ensure we have a voice when politicians start debating plans to overhaul the care system.
When Dementia makes the news it seems to focus on the needs of the elderly and there is rarely any mention of younger people. A prime example is the news this week that Labour has announced plans to fund Care for older people - an announcement welcomed by Alzheimer’s Society CEO, Jeremy Hughes. This would have been an excellent opportunity for Mr Hughes to remind those in power that there are younger people with dementia who need help too, but no, as usual the Alzheimer's society completely forgets about those with working age dementia.
I sympathise with anyone who is suffering from this terrible disease, but it is far harder for young people. Beyond the age of 65 a partner has plenty of time to be a carer and has a pension to provide a financial cushion. But, when you are middle aged and are still trying to build a pension fund how are you suddenly expected to give up your income and live off a pittance. Why is no one fighting our corner?
The Alzheimer’s Society adverts on TV give the impression, to the uninitiated, that Alzheimer’s is all about little old ladies who become a bit forgetful. Never any mention of young people losing their jobs, their spouse struggling to keep their job and do the caring role, complete changes in personality, becoming incontinent. The Macmillan TV advert paints a clear picture about how devastating a diagnosis of cancer can be, I don’t think the Alzheimer’s ad does the same.
Isn’t it time the Alzheimer’s Society had a Working Age Dementia Champion helping ensure we have a voice when politicians start debating plans to overhaul the care system.