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Stars back dementia campaign

Sir Michael Parkinson, Fiona Phillips and Gordon Banks are supporting the national 'A Day to Remember' campaign, calling for the public not to delay talking about dementia.

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Burstow criticises government over pensioner care plan

Liberal Democrat MP Paul Burstow, a former health minister in the Coalition, has accused Chancellor George Osborne of blocking plans to solve the crisis in elderly care.

Burstow, writing in the Daily Telegraph, said the Treasury were "an obstacle" to plans drawn up by economist Andrew Dilnot last year.

“For the thousands of families navigating their way through an often complex and confusing care system reform cannot come soon enough.

“For too many, the experience is degrading, stripping them of their dignity and their assets. The longer Government delays, the more older people and their families will feel betrayed.

"The Treasury’s view is simple, kick the can down the road despite our rising elderly population. There’s no sense of urgency. No recognition that left unreformed there is no incentive for families to plan and prepare."

– Paul Burstow MP

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Osborne accused of blocking pensioner care reforms

George Osborne has delayed on care reforms, says MP Paul Burstow Credit: SLP/RT/rob

The Treasury are obstructing plans to solve the crisis in elderly care, a former health minister has told the Daily Telegraph.

Liberal Democrat MP Paul Burstow, who lost his job in the recent Cabinet reshuffle, said George Osborne's department had "no sense of urgency" to help pensioners who are forced to sell their homes to pay for care.

The criticism comes as the government launched a campaign on Friday to help combat dementia.

Burstow accused the Treasury of "smothering" the Dilnot plan, devised by economist Andrew Dilnot, who recommended a lifetime cap of £35,000 on care bills for the elderly and disabled adults.

Health Minister: 'Early diagnosis can help dementia sufferers'

The potential prospect of getting dementia is something that causes people to be very anxious and fearful so it’s incredibly important we do everything we can to raise awareness of the condition and also raise awareness of the absolute importance of early diagnoses.

So one of the key messages today, is if you have concerns about a loved one, have that difficult conversation with them. Talk to them about it, get to your GP as quickly as you can because we know from the evidence that early diagnosis can make a real difference to health and well-being.

– Health Minister Norman Lamb MP

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Fiona Phillips reveals dementia heartbreak

Fiona Phillips, whose parents both had dementia, said if her mother had been diagnosed earlier then she could have handled the situation better.

I would have been able to plan more for mum instead of doing everything in a big rush.

Our house always smelt of baking when we were little and I used to love helping mum make cakes and there were always cakes in the tin.

She rung me up at 3am one morning crying her eyes out and she said: 'I've forgotten how to make cakes'. And my childhood went then.

– Fiona Phillips

Half of people 'would find it hard to talk about dementia'

  • Half of people (50 per cent) say they would find it hard to talk about dementia to a friend or family member they thought might have it.
  • A third (33 per cent) say that personal concerns (such as fear of upsetting someone or feeling awkward or anxious) would discourage them from talking about dementia or memory loss with a friend or relative.
  • That nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of people would not be confident telling the difference between the signs of dementia and the normal signs of ageing

Stars back 'A Day to Remember' dementia campaign

Sir Michael Parkinson, Fiona Phillips and Gordon Banks are supporting the national 'A Day to Remember' campaign, calling for the public not to delay talking about dementia.

Sir Michael Parkinson is backing the campaign Credit: Adrian Steirn/Department of Health

New research from Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) found that a quarter of people hide their diagnosis because of negative connotations surrounding dementia.

Fiona Phillips' parents both had dementia Credit: Adrian Steirn/Department of Health

The new campaign, which is part of Prime Minister David Cameron's pledge to help change people's understanding of dementia, has been launched today on World Alzheimer's Day.

Gordon Banks' brother David suffered from the condition Credit: Adrian Steirn/Department of Health

Ministers hope it will raise awareness of the condition, what initial signs and symptoms look like and how to seek help.

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