Charity wins Howarth's support for dementia project
December 7, 2009 12:46 PM
A leading Cambridge charity, which has been chosen to take part in a government-funded project to help people with dementia, is being backed by the city's MP David Howarth.
Crossroads Care Cambridge City is one of just four organisations in the country that will work on the Dementia Choices Pilot with the Mental Health Foundation.
The project aims to help people with dementia benefit from direct payments. Previously, legislation had prevented people who lack mental capacity benefiting from this type of self-directed support.
But the Health and Social Care Act 2008 changed the rules and last month people living with dementia were given the go-ahead to decide how their benefits could be spent to buy the care they needed.
Mr Howarth said: "I am delighted that the government has chosen Crossroads Care Cambridge City to test this pilot. It is vital that people can be confident that, if they wish to remain independent the support is available."
"I am optimistic that this pilot project will pave the way for people living with dementia and their carers across the country to receive the correct type of directed financial support.
"By making their own decisions on their care, it gives them choices and allows them to take control of their lives with the necessary safeguards in place. This change in the law is long overdue."
According to the latest figures, there are at least 1,050 people with dementia in Cambridge City.
Dementia does not just affect the elderly and there are currently 15,000 younger people with dementia in the UK. There are 15 known diagnosed cases of people under 60 with dementia in Cambridge City.
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