Alzheimer's Society 'Short changed' report

Responding to the Alzheimer's Society new report ‘Short changed: Protecting people with dementia from financial abuse' today, which calls for people with dementia to be better protected from financial abuse,  Age Cymru's Rhea Stevens says:

"Age Cymru welcomes this report which highlights some of the serious challenges people with dementia face in managing their money and staying safe from financial abuse.

"We support the Alzheimer's Society's call for banks, trading standards teams and other agencies to work together closely to support and protect people who are victims of financial abuse.

"Age Cymru's Rule Out Abuse campaign calls for a legal duty on public bodies to investigate abuse and give it the priority it deserves as there is currently no legal obligation on public authorities - such as local authorities, local health boards and the police - to investigate and work together when there are concerns that an adult or vulnerable person is at risk or being abused.

"We are seriously concerned that this lack of legal obligation can make  it difficult to gather information and receive cooperation from all parties involved, which can result in unnecessary delays in protecting victims and tackling abuse."