I WHOLLY endorse your readers’ letters of September 11 and 16 regarding the cost people who are suffering from dementia have to pay out of their own pockets through no fault of their own. Both my parents are suffering from dementia which is a chronic medical condition and is due to the breakdown of brain functions.

Dementia can manifest itself in several forms and both my parents have different forms of dementia. Nevertheless they both can no longer care for themselves.

They have both paid their taxes, saved their money and own their own house.

However, as your correspondents have stated, as they have some assets, in excess of £23,250 each they are expected by our state to fund their own care for what is essentially a disease.

Further if they were not “self funders” Social Services would fund up to a maximum per week which is less than their current care home fees; their pensions and any allowances would be taken from them and they would be given around £20 a week “pocket money”.

This is certainly not what they had expected or planned for in their later years having been around at the inception of the National Health Service and welfare state which they have supported and paid towards through their taxes.

I know, I and they, are part of an increasing group of our population who are finding themselves in this predicament and rest assured unless anything changes there will be many, many more joining this group in the near future.

NAME & ADDRESS SUPPLIED.