"They are an unseen army of people" Calls made for relatives of dementia patients to be treated as key workers

Leading charities have joined forces to call on the Government to allow relatives of dementia patients to be treated as key workers, it has been reported.
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According to the BBC, bosses from organisations including Dementia UK and the Alzheimer's Society have signed a letter to Health Secretary Matt Hancock calling on visits to resume safely and relatives to be given the same "key worker" access to care homes and coronavirus testing as staff.

It comes a day after Mr Hancock said the Government would be setting out details "in the next few days" of how Covid-secure care home visits can resume.

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The letter reportedly argues the care given by family members is "essential" to the overall well-being of dementia patients and the current social distancing restrictions have contributed to a "hidden catastrophe" in care homes, which have been closed to non-essential visitors since March.

John Baker, from Clayton Le Woods and his wife Liz cared for her parents, who both suffered with dementia. Her dad sadly passed away just last year.

"My own wife used to go over and care for her Dad in Belfast for two weeks every six weeks. This would have to have stopped without the 'key worker' exemption on traveling to Belfast and most of the transport links stopped initially in lockdown. Other members of the family cared for her parents on a rotational basis when Liz was not there. This had two advantages, neither had to go into a home and due rest was given to all family members to get on with their own lives and families," he said.

"Treating family members as a key worker is important because they take such a load off the system of carers set up by local councils. They are an unseen army of people who look after their family members. They work alongside and in parallel with these carers filling in the hours between carers visits. It keeps their family members out of care homes.

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"In the early stages of dementia professional carers would perhaps not be needed, this is when family members really step up to the mark. Keeping their loved ones safe and well. To do this properly they would need key worker status from the word go."

In Lancashire, itis estimated that there are 15,500 people currently living with dementiaIn Lancashire, itis estimated that there are 15,500 people currently living with dementia
In Lancashire, itis estimated that there are 15,500 people currently living with dementia

Charities have argued the current limits on visitors due to the pandemic has had "damaging consequences" on dementia sufferers.

Visits from family members to resume safely would give them the same access to care homes and coronavirus testing as staff.

Signed by the bosses of charities including Dementia UK and the Alzheimer's Society, the letter calls on the government to urgently address the "hidden catastrophe" in care homes.

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The Knight's care home in St Annes is among the other mixed residential and dementia homes in the North West, caring for residents who live with the condition.

Charities are calling for family members caring for loved ones with dementia to be treated as key workersCharities are calling for family members caring for loved ones with dementia to be treated as key workers
Charities are calling for family members caring for loved ones with dementia to be treated as key workers

Home Manager Peter Sparks said: "Every person who lives with Dementia is different, however they all require the love and support of their loved ones, even more so in these ever changing times.

"The level of support required is different from person to person but whilst we as carers can see that they are well looked after and safe, seeing their loved ones reminds them of who they are and stimulates those early memories that we can’t always tap in to.

"We care for our residents as if they are our own and provide them with as much support and stimulation as possible within the homely environment of The Knights."

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In Lancashire, it is estimated that there are 15,500 people currently living with dementia, and as a result of population growth in the older age groups, this will continue to rise.

Early detection and support for people with dementia are vital for maximising healthy life expectancy in Lancashire.

Age UK Lancashire Chief Executive, Teri Stephenson said: "Age UK Lancashire have seen a disproportionate deterioration in older people with dementia across Lancashire during lock-down and support an initiative that reduces isolation, increases independence and re-connects people with their loved ones."

One Dementia Voice, the UK’s leading dementia organisations said: "We welcome the decision in response to our letter to start to safely reopen care homes to visitors. But the devil’s in the detail, it’s vital that designated family carers are treated the same as Key Workers.

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"Family carers are an integral part of the care system and when removed from that, the essential care and wellbeing of the individual suffers. They may be the only person who is allowed to brush their loved ones’ teeth when no-one else can get near, the only one who can get their loved ones to take medicine, to eat or drink, and they act as both their voice and memory, articulating on their behalf and offering support like no one else can."

"At least 70 percent of care home residents have some form of dementia and many feel confused, simply not understanding why they have been forgotten about after more than 100 days without contact with their family and friends.

"We look forward to urgently hearing more detailed plans about care home visitation in the next few days. We understand the need for caution but the Government must provide safe, regular and repeated testing for family carers, like key workers, so they can get back in to care homes safely and provide the unique support only they offer."

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