Hundreds of thousands of dementia sufferers will be left without vital care in their homes if they are not protected from budget cuts, a charity has warned.
The Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) is now calling for more to be done to protect dementia services and prevent these fears being realised.
Research by YouGov on behalf of the DAA, reveals that Brits are passionate about dementia care. Four out of five (83%) believe that dementia sufferers and their carers need more help and support while 72% fear that dementia will suffer in light of budget cuts.
"What this research shows is that people are finally beginning to appreciate the plight of people with dementia. They rightly judged that they are often being let down by substandard support and that this situation is only going to get worse if swingeing cuts kick in," says Jeremy Hughes from the Alzheimer's Society.
"No one can ignore the dire economic situation we are in but good quality dementia care makes financial sense. It can prevent people needing hospital care or having to go into a care home earlier than necessary. Even more importantly it helps people have a quality life. We have to get this right."
According to the DAA, there are currently 750,000 people living with dementia in the UK and by 2021 there will be over one million.
David Sims, 43, from London, who organises care at home for his mother who is living with vascular dementia, said:
"We want my mum to live in the family home for as long as possible, and so we employ care staff to help her with everyday, vital things such as preparing meals. They will also often spend time simply sitting and having a chat with her which is just as important. One carer who visits my mum goes beyond her call of duty, and pay, to ensure my mum is happy. I hate to think what we would do without her support."
Peter Hay, President of Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), says: "We urgently need these changes in practice, law and resources in order to create a care system based on the needs of the twenty first century."