Dementia patient ‘failed’ by lack of under-65 provision

Anthony Britton’s wife, who he preferred not to name, was diagnosed with the condition last year at the age of 61 and by August it became clear that he would no longer be able to care for her on his own at home.

But because of her age and the early stage of the illness, the couple found that there is nowhere suitable in the county for her to receive appropriate care.

Mr Britton said: “Everything in Warwickshire is geared up for over-65 care. There only needs to be one home for younger people in the county as there are so few people who have Alzheimer’s at such a young age.”

Mr Britton’s wife was put into a dementia unit at Woodloes House care home in Warwick, but he said she was very unhappy there as all the other patients were significantly more ill and older than her, so he is currently paying for her to live at a private home in Knowle while waiting to arrange for home care.

He said: “South Warwickshire is like a desert for people like my wife. She has been failed by the system. Things are tight, but it’s about basic care for people.”

A spokeswoman for NHS Warwickshire said Mr Britton’s wife’s case was being looked into, adding: “Because early onset dementia is quite rare, there is not a specific unit for people with the condition in Warwickshire.

“In Woodloes House, Mr Britton’s wife may have found that the patients were typically older than her because that’s symptomatic of the condition. I’m afraid it’s just because it’s unusual for somebody to have dementia at that age.”

Anyone wishing to raise concerns about general healthcare can contact NHS Warwickshire’s patient advice and liaison service (Pals) on 0845 4238903, or for queries to do with mental healthcare, contact the Coventry & Warwickshire Partnership’s Pals on 024 7653 6804.