Care home founders launch emergency appeal in new role as dementia ambassadors

Founders of Hallmark Care Homes, Avnish Goyal and his wife Anita, are backing Alzheimer’s Society’s emergency appeal, following their appointment as ambassadors with the charity.

Their appointment comes at a time where 95 per cent of people with dementia, are over 65 and reliant on social care, and are at significant risk and cut off from the outside world because of the current coronavirus crisis.

The social care system, already at breaking point, has been further impacted by a reduction in care workers, as well as care homes having to regulate numbers of visitors.

'We can help provide much-needed information and support in these unprecedented times'

Mr Goyal said: “We are delighted to be Ambassadors for Alzheimer’s Society, especially in these unprecedented times where people with dementia need even more protection and support.

“The coronavirus outbreak will result in people with dementia becoming cut off from society, with some unable to carry out everyday tasks such as eating and washing and having to give up doing the things they enjoy.

"This is why we’re committed to doing everything we can to ensure people affected by dementia are seen as a priority by the government, the research community and across society both now and in the future.”

Mr Goyal is also the chair of Care England, which represents care homes as well as being the founding trustee and now patron of The Care Workers Charity.

Mr and Mrs Goyal also launched The Care Sector Ball in 2018. Since its launch it has raised over £345,000 for The Care Workers Charity, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Hallmark Care Homes was founded in 1997 and with 20 care homes in England and Wales, Hallmark Care Homes were recently named as one of the top 20 large home groups 2020 by carehome.co.uk.

Chief executive Kate Lee at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Not only are people affected by dementia finding things particularly tough at the moment, but we know the social care sector is under even more pressure to care for and support the most vulnerable in our society. We are hearing daily from families struggling to explain what’s going on and carers unable to visit vulnerable people in person.

“With support from Avnish and Anita and their experience in the sector, we can make sure that we are there for everyone affected by the condition and can help provide much-needed information and support in these unprecedented times, but we can’t do this without urgent donations.”

The need for Alzheimer’s Society’s services has never been more urgent. In March alone, 3,300 calls were made to Dementia Connect support line and 80 per cent of calls were related to coronavirus issues.

The charity’s emergency appeal will raise funds to help keep the Dementia Connect support line going and extend telephone and virtual support. People affected by dementia tell us our support line is a lifeline with thousands of people affected by dementia now having to cope with a temporary closure of face-to-face services and self-isolation.

With the number of people living with dementia across the UK set to rise to one million by 2025, as well as backing Alzheimer’s Society’s Emergency Appeal, they will help power research breakthroughs.

To support Alzheimer’s Society’s Emergency Appeal click here

click here for more details or to contact Hallmark Luxury Care Homes