The Impact of Sustainability and Transformation Plans on Older People

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Conference
2018 National Retired Members Conference
Date
15 June 2018
Decision
Carried

Conference notes with alarm the disproportionate effect on older people with dementia of inadequate and deteriorating provision of Social care and health services for example:

1) Research has found that older people with dementia are largely the ones using hospital A& E Services or being admitted because of poor or unavailable social care provision;

2) Some older people with severe dementia are being refused places in care homes because it is claimed their health needs cannot be met there leaving them and their carers stranded without support;

3) The closure or restricted availability of Dementia Day Care Centres which support older people and their carers in the community.

Conference calls on the National Retired Members’ Committee to liaise with the National Pensioners’ Convention and Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, Dementia Support organisations and Labour Link to highlight the impact of cuts in social care and the NHS on older people with dementia and to campaign for:

a) A national care service and an NHS funded to meet needs including the needs of older people with severe dementia;

b) Funding so that Local Authorities can maintain and expand provision of care homes supported by NHS input;

c) Collaborative working and support for voluntary organisations specialising in outreach and befriending of older people with dementia and in public education about dementia and how to support those living with it.