Only 11% of young people with dementia can go to reserved beds in residential care centers | medical

With 200 available beds, the vast majority of people with early-onset dementia are left out in the cold. In addition, there is no support for people with young-onset dementia who continue to live at home. De Martelaer urges a turnaround in policy. “Instead of beds for only a few people with young-onset dementia, everyone with a diagnosis should receive a personal budget for personal care,” says the Groen politician.

According to her, the vast majority of people who are diagnosed with dementia before the age of 65 are left to fend for themselves by the Jambon government. In almost all cases, all care ends up with a partner or other caregiver. “Besides the care task and emotional impact, a diagnosis of young-onset dementia often comes with serious financial consequences,” explains De Martelaer.

Groen denounces that there are hardly any help mechanisms for people with young-onset dementia. Patients, including those in their thirties and forties, who can no longer live at home with the help of a caregiver are forced to end up in a residential care center. In Flanders, 200 places in residential care centers are reserved for people with young-onset dementia. Only in these places residents with young-onset dementia receive a discount of 27.60 euros on the daily price.

Instead of a discount on the daily price of a few euros, De Martelaer argues that every patient with young-onset dementia should be allocated a personal budget based on the personal context and needs. “With a personal budget, patients can fulfill their care needs themselves, regardless of whether they still live at home or stay in a residential care centre,” De Martelaer concludes.