How we can care for Tom

Published: 28 October, 2010

• YOUR article and letter about the sad plight of Thomas Costello (‘Bring our Tom home’, October 21) raises serious matters. 

Age Concern Camden has been working with Tom’s family for a number of months and has the family’s permission to write to the paper. 

Age Concern Camden has been advocating for Tom around his short- and long-term care needs, and we believe the institutionalisation he has experienced has sadly made him much worse.

We have been disappointed to date by what we feel is the trust’s response and we are now supporting Tom and his family with a formal complaint against the trust. Thomas has been a resident of Somers Town in Camden for most of his life, and has very strong connections here. His family feel his place is here, in Camden, with family and friends around him. 

Age Concern Camden has been advocating for the individualised and local care for Tom.

We are therefore very disappointed that Tom has been transferred from London to Northampton. This makes it very difficult for his family and friends, who used to visit regularly to have any regular contact, and Tom has lost more social support. We feel that this decision should be urgently reconsidered. 

When he is discharged, Age Concern Camden runs specific dementia services that could offer support in the community, alongside specialised agencies.

JO HOLLOWAY
Advice and Rights Manager
Age Concern Camden