Dementia Carers Count calls for Urgent Carers’ Strategy

Ben Budd

September 19, 2023

September 19, 2023

19 September 2023

Today campaigners from Dementia Carers Count (DCC) handed in an open letter to the Minister of State for Social Care calling for the urgent publication of a long-term, fully funded carers’ strategy. The letter has been co-signed by over 1,500 people concerned about the plight of family carers who all too often feel forgotten and ignored.

There are over 700,000 families in the UK caring for someone with dementia. Many have had no choice but to care and find their experiences overwhelming. DCC’s research shows that one in five dementia carers regularly reaches crisis.

DCC is calling for a carers’ strategy which prioritises carers’ well-being through: better identification of people who are caring; better recognition of carers’ different needs; improved signposting of carers’ rights and provision of free, condition-specific, personalised support and learning opportunities at every stage of a carers’ journey.

Frances Lawrence, Dementia Carers Count CEO said: “The government is working on a major conditions strategy which aims to enable people to live ‘healthy, fulfilled, independent and longer lives’. We want carers to benefit from this aspiration. All too often, people caring for others lose their identity and neglect their health needs. With the ongoing crisis in social care, unpaid carers are filling gaps. Not surprisingly, many are mentally and physically exhausted.

“A carers’ strategy should urgently tackle this and give carers the practical and emotional support they desperately need.”

For more information and interviews contact Iona-Jane Harris iona-jane.harris@dementiacarers.org.uk / 07807 231432 or Helen Pyper helen.pyper@dementiacarers.org.uk / 07572 165667

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Notes to Editors

1. Dementia Carers Count (DCC) supports the emotional and practical needs of carers and is committed to improving their experiences of caring. Visit: www.dementiacarers.org.uk
The DCC Carer Support Line is available from Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 5pm on 0800 652 1102

2. DCC launched its open letter on 24th July 2023 and closed it on 18 September 2023. Over 1,500 people signed the letter at https://dementiacarers.org.uk/letter-to-minister-of-dementia-care/

3. DCC carried out an in-depth survey of unpaid family dementia carers in 2022. This was completed by 435 carers from across the UK. A copy of the key survey findings is available on request.

https://dementiacarers.org.uk/blog/carers-welcomed-to-dementia-friendly-cricket-fixtures-at-lords/

https://dementiacarers.org.uk/blog/music-mondays-stories-of-people-music-and-dementia-care/

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