Dementia care

SIR – It is heartbreaking to hear of the realities faced by frontline staff working in this country’s social care system (“Lack of prestige fuels staffing crisis as nurses quit care homes”, report, February 8).

However, it is worse to think of the impact that this has on vulnerable people with dementia, many of whom rely on social care for their every need.

One third of homecare workers – who are looking after 400,000 people with dementia across Britain – have had absolutely no training in dementia. These workers are stretched to breaking point, while people with dementia bear the brunt of inadequate, underfunded care.

One million people will have dementia by 2021. The need for serious reform can no longer be ignored. Jeremy Hughes

Chief Executive Officer Alzheimer’s Society London EC3