Patients with dementia are charged up to 40% more by nursing homes, warns the Alzheimer Society

Nursing homes charge 40% more for dementia patients than those who do not have the disease, a large charity warned.

They are forced to pay a "dementia premium" even if they do not necessarily receive additional care, according to the Alzheimer Society.

A study conducted by the charity revealed that a number of nursing homes and home help agencies automatically increase their fees for dementia patients regardless of their personal needs.

It is estimated that about 850,000 people in the UK live with dementia, although the actual numbers may be higher because many are undiagnosed. [File photo]

Patients without dementia pay between £ 26,000 and £ 41,600 a year for a care home, depending on the location and the facilities. Those who suffer from it pay a minimum of £ 33,800 a year, up to £ 62,400 for the most expensive homes.

Meanwhile, a non-dementia patient pays between £ 18 and £ 20 an hour for home care expenses, but this amount can reach between £ 20 and £ 25 when he has the disease.

A patient who had been living in a nursing home for months found that his accommodation costs had been suddenly increased by £ 3,000 a year after the diagnosis of dementia.

It was despite the fact that they received little extra support because they were in the early stages of the disease.

The Alzheimer Society has pointed out that patients with cancer, heart disease or any other major health problem are treated free of charge on the NHS. But patients with dementia who require long-term social care must pay for themselves

The Alzheimer Society has researched up to 30 health centers and home care providers, asking them how much they charge for dementia patients and those who do not.

On average, they charged between 20% and 25% more for dementia patients, but an unnamed nursing home billed 40% more.

Although this is an instant survey, the charity believes that many providers apply to a "dementia premium".

It is estimated that about 850,000 people in the UK live with dementia, although the actual numbers may be higher because many are undiagnosed.

The figures also show that about 70% of patients living in retirement homes and 60% of those requiring home care are afflicted with this disease.

Regardless of whether they need more care than other patients, the Alzheimer Society said it was not good for them to pay out of pocket rather than being funded by the state.

The charity pointed out that patients with cancer, heart disease or any other major health problem are treated free of charge on the NHS. But patients with dementia who need long-term social care must pay for themselves.

Patients are forced to pay a "dementia premium" even if they do not necessarily receive additional care, according to the Alzheimer Society.

Jeremy Hughes, Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society, said, "People with dementia are at the mercy of a broken system, paying up to 40% more for their care simply because they have developed dementia. The financial and emotional impact of some of the most vulnerable people in society is fundamentally unfair.

"Quality dementia care requires time and training and can not be done cheaply, but the state should cover these extra costs instead of forcing families to sell their homes and save for care they need.

"People with dementia have the right to receive care, but the high price it entails may mean that they are denied this right."