Word in the Netherlands is that Theresa May wants to introduce an Alzheimer tax.
It has begun. Rather than debating the economics of this and the best balance between state and individual, public discourse will now just reduce it to a 'dementia tax' and portray any attempt to put social care on a sustainable footing as an example of evil cruel Tories.
Alzhiemer's/Dementia tax...totally.
Let's see what all those who think it's a wonderful idea would do in this case.
Three years ago a working man, renting, decides his parents (85+) are too ill to look after themselves, one is developing dementia.
Choice - either put them both into a home, get 24hr care, or take the caring on himself. (a) and (b) would ultimately cost the state £000's when the costs overtake the assets.
So they go for option (c) where son packs in the job, sells his car and returns "home" to start 24-hr caring.
The parents deteriorate, the one with dementia worsens until they can't communicate, eat properly, wash or toilet.
Son requires lots of outside help - social services determine it as a "two handed job"; which is 2x£15/hr for any help...paid privately. Rare week-long respite breaks cost £1500 for the cover alone.
With all this excellent care, parents continue to live...but their savings are being used up and eventually the state pays for the extra care in their own house.
Eventually they die, leaving a bill of £200k. At that point - does the son with no savings, no job, in his early 60's be thrown out of the house he was expected to inherit as "reward" for all the time and sacrifice; o that bill could be paid for?
And if so - who will support that person? £100k inheritance allowance - if there is any - doesn't cover 5 - 10 years of lost wages or even buy a half-decent retirement apartment.
OR
Anyone in that situation now (as in the lady I know who cared for - and lost - her husband, lives in a council flat, and is now caring for her mum in mum's house) would look at it - and say no; I can't risk being homeless and wageless. Mum - you will have to go to a nursing home....adding to the strain already there, adding to the eventual cost to the NHS/taxpayer and probably shortening the life of the patient.
If carers get treated like (am I allowed to say?) ****, then they will just not bother. Trouble is, in most people's lives they don't exist...hidden away, you won't see them down the pub because they can't get out...too busy caring.
I know one who was invited to a "dementia carer's conference" but couldn't go....as his mother couldn't be left alone. That person might be sat at this keyboard.
So eventually you are creating problems down the line, and almost everyone on here will require care themselves. Ever seen a *home*? Want to end your life there rather than in your own house with your own family - a house that the Tories want to snatch away?
So if you want fewer carers, a shortage of places in understaffed care homes, overworked staff, more costs to the public purse, dumping in a home yourself, and Brexit fans, more immigrants to fill the shortages, then vote Tory.
Enjoy the rest of the day. I've now got to lift mum off the toilet, wipe her down and get her dressed.