Free personal care for the under-65s is now available in Aberdeen.
Integration Joint Board (IJB) members have agreed an action plan to guide the implementation in Aberdeen of the new law, which was introduced across Scotland on 1 April 2019.
Some £30m in Scottish Government funding has been allocated across the country to implement “Frank’s Law”, which is named after former Dundee United footballer Frank Kopel who died in 2014 aged 65, five years after being diagnosed with early-onset dementia.
His wife Amanda and the Kopel family fought a successful campaign for free personal care to be brought in for people aged under 65 who need help with everyday physical tasks. Free Personal Care for people aged 65 and over was introduced in Scotland in 2002 and includes services like help with bathing, toileting, preparing food, simple medications and dressings.
A report to the IJB said extending free personal care to under-65s would have important benefits for many who are currently charged for this support – including increased uptake of services and fairness in terms of charging. Many people under 65 who have been assessed as needing personal care have declined to receive it due to the cost, with the care instead often provided by family and friends.
The report said:” Extending free personal care will mean that everyone who requires this support will have access to it equally, regardless of age, condition or means.”
The Scottish Government funding for the new law means that Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership will have some £1.3million available to implement it.
People who believe they are eligible for free personal care under Frank’s Law need to contact ACHSCP to apply – but every effort is being made to publicise the new law to ensure as many people as possible who are eligible are provided for.
The Partnership arranged to stop the charges from 1 April for under-65s already receiving personal care and paying for it.