On Tuesday Emma spoke in a Westminster Hall debate regarding dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In the debate Emma highlighted that the Governments lack of proper investment and practical support was causing distress and upset for many people, their families and carers.
This Government simply must do more to ensure that people with dementia are cared for with dignity and respect rather than rely on charities to compensate for their lack of real investment in this key area of health and social care.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, it is estimated that a million people will be living with dementia in the UK by 2021. There are over 1,190 people living with dementia in South Shields, Emma herself has personal experience of this terrible disease after she helped care for her Gran and elderly next door neighbour.
The reality is that many of us will have some contact with a family member, friend or neighbour who has dementia. Emma herself successfully completed training to become a Dementia Friend via South Shield’s local office, South Tyneside Alzheimer’s Society branch who provide invaluable support for many people in the area. They can be contacted by telephone on 0191 427 5443 or by emailing southtyneside@alzheimers.org.uk
You can read Emma’s speech here.
Speaking after the debate Emma said
‘The Minister’s response was woeful, we have a crisis in the NHS and our adult social care services, the very services people with Alzheimer’s or dementia need and rely on. The Government simply cannot continue to bury their heads and ignore this crisis of their own making, as each day passes the Prime Minsters commitment to make England ‘the best country in the World for dementia care’ is becoming more and more hollow.’
