Dementia campaigner ‘overwhelmed’ as Frank’s Law helps 71,000 Scots get free personal care
A dementia campaigner who fought to extend free personal care to people aged under 65 in memory of her footballer husband says she’s “overwhelmed” by new figures showing the law has helped more than 71,000 Scots.
Amanda Kopel battled for six years to introduce “Frank’s Law” in honour of her husband Frank – a former Dundee United footballer who was diagnosed with dementia in 2008 aged just 59.
At that time, free personal care was only available to people in Scotland aged 65 and older.
The law meant that Mr Kopel’s family had to pay around £300 a week for personal care costs towards the end of his life.
Mrs Kopel branded the situation “blatant discrimination” against people with dementia, and began a tireless campaign to ensure that anyone living with disabilities and degenerative conditions could access support, regardless of age.
She began lobbying government in 2013 and continued to fight even after her husband died in 2014, aged 65. He had been eligible for just 19 days of free personal care.
Mrs Kopel was backed in her campaign by Alzheimer Scotland, who had supported the couple following Frank’s dementia diagnosis. The charity presented Mrs Kopel with a special Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 in recognition of her efforts.
She also gained the support of then Cabinet Health Minister Alex Neil, as well as Conservative MSP Miles Briggs who launched a private member’s bill in 2017 that pushed for a change in the law.
Eventually, the Scottish Government relented and agreed to extend free personal care to all, with Frank’s Law coming into force on April 1, 2019.
Now, new figures confirmed by the Scottish Government in a written response to Miles Briggs MSP show that more than 71,000 people in Scotland have benefited from Frank’s Law since it was introduced.
Amanda Kopel said: “I am overwhelmed to hear that Frank’s Law has helped so many people in Scotland to access free personal care. It’s humbling to think of the difference our campaign has made to the lives of more than 71,000 families.
“I can never thank enough all the people who helped me in the fight for justice to end the blatant discrimination against the under-65s – especially the people in Scotland living with dementia, whose shoes I had walked in.
“It was all in honour of my soulmate Frankie, whose battle against dementia, was far harder than any battle I went through.
“I had wonderful support from so many people, including Alzheimer Scotland, who also gave me and Frank so much help throughout his journey with dementia. And thanks also go to Miles Briggs and Alex Neil, as well as ‘Frank’s Army’ of supporters who came from all over the country and all walks of life.”
Henry Simmons, Alzheimer Scotland’s Chief Executive, described Amanda Kopel as “an inspiration”.
He said: “What an amazing achievement for Amanda Kopel and all her supporters whose tireless work has helped so many people living with dementia in Scotland to receive vital free personal care – regardless of their age.
“Amanda never gave up campaigning – even after Frank passed – and the changes she fought for in Frank’s Law are truly a remarkable achievement.”
Miles Briggs, Conservative MSP for Lothian area, said: “I’m very happy that I was able to help Amanda’s battle for free personal care for dementia patients like her husband Frank.
“For too long many people under 65 were left to fight for access to vital care and health services at the very time they needed the health system to support them. In many cases this resulted in poorer outcomes for individuals and drove many families to despair.
“It is already clear that Frank’s Law has been a great success with more than 70,000 families benefiting since 2019.
“It has been a privilege to work with Amanda over the years who has very much become a good friend, and I would pay tribute to all of Frank’s Army and Alzheimer Scotland as well as my colleagues in Parliament who together helped bring about this critical change.”
Amanda pictured with her dog Arrow