Amanda Kopel’s experience as an unpaid carer must not be replicated again in Angus, according to a charity chief.
Alison Myles, the CEO of Angus Carers Centre, said they were working with unpaid carers and other partners to implement a key piece of legislation with “Mrs Kopel’s testimony at the forefront of our minds”.
The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 was passed by parliament in February and promises to ‘promote, defend and extend the rights’ of adult and young carers across Scotland.
Alison said: “Health and Social Care Integration provides all partners with an historic opportunity to take on board the views of unpaid carers in the planning and design of services.
“The Carer (Scotland) Act requires H&SC Integration Project Boards to design an eligibility framework for service thresholds for carers and those they care for.
“As unpaid carers now have a right to representation at the ‘top table’ of decision making we can work together to ensure that Amanda Kopel’s experience is not replicated again.
“Mrs Kopel provides a stark reminder of the human reality behind the statistics.”
Mrs Kopel tirelessly tended to her husband, Dundee United legend Frank, for five years after he was diagnosed with dementia in 2009, aged just 59.
They spent up to £400 per month on personal care and for 30 miles worth of fuel every day to get Mr Kopel to day care before he died in 2014.
Mr Kopel was only eligible for free personal care after he turned 65, which forced the couple to spend large amounts of money for six years of his illness.
Of the 85,807 dementia sufferers in Scotland, 3,201 are under 65 and not entitled to free personal care.
Mrs Kopel has been campaigning for legislation to close the legal “loophole” – dubbed Frank’s Law – backed by The Courier.
Mrs Kopel wrote to each of Scotland’s 129 MSPs and the campaign has garnered nationwide attention from politicians and sporting figures alike, but has yet to be passed into law.
Alison added: “Anyone in Angus who looks after a family member, other relative, partner, friend or neighbour of any age who is affected by physical or mental illness, disability, frailty or substance misuse, who would like to get involved in this work will be welcomed to the next Angus Carers Voice Network on Tuesday August 16 at the Carers Centre in Arbroath.
“Mrs Kopel will be a special guest at the Angus Carers Centre AGM on Thursday September 22 where she will give up update on her campaign.”
The government has recently announced that the Carers (Scotland) 2016 Act will be commenced on the April 1 2018.
