The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
‘Positive’ meeting with minister
AMANDA KOPEL has tirelessly tended to her husband, Dundee United legend Frank, for the past five years as he suffers from vascular dementia.
But the 63-year-old Kirriemuir woman has also been campaigning over the last 12 months to have free personal care extended to those aged under 65 who have been diagnosed with the disease.
Now she can look forward to the first major breakthrough in her quest, as Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil has agreed to have a face-to-face meeting with the couple.
The promise came after an hour-long meeting between Mrs Kopel and Mr Neil — who cared for his father when he was diagnosed with the illness — at Holyrood yesterday.
Mrs Kopel told The Courier that the discussion brought a number of potentially positive outcomes and praised Mr Neil for his empathy.
She also revealed that Mr Neil told her a report is being compiled by health experts into the possibility of letting under 65s access free personal care.
Mr Kopel, 64, who lifted the League Cup twice during his decade at Tannadice, was diagnosed with vascular dementia, aged just 59.
His wife said: “They listened and, I think, understood, and Mr Neil has agreed to come up and meet with me in February.”
The Kopels have to pay hundreds of pounds a month for care while people with dementia who are over 65 get it free.
They spend up to £400 per month on personal care and pay for 30 miles worth of fuel every day to get Mr Kopel to day care.
Added bills linked to his condition include heating, special protein drinks and washing or replacing soiled clothes.
Last week The Courier chronicled a day in the life of the couple as part of a special investigation into the illness.
Mrs Kopel said: “(The meeting has) been positive but it’s not going to happen overnight. Mr Neil said Dr Ian Anderson is looking at the issue and once he has had time to consider the findings he will come back to me.
“At the end of the day, I have told them the fight is not over until the fat lady sings.
“If they are the caring Government they want people to think they are, something will be done. “What price can you put on love?” The Scottish Government confirmed that the health secretary plans to visit Tayside in the early part of next year to discuss the issue further with Mrs Kopel.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Neil said: “I had a really positive meeting with Amanda.
“I was able to explain how my father had had dementia, how he stayed with mee and I looked after him.m. That broke the ice.”