It's Time For The Care System To Care, Says Help The Aged, UK

Main Category: Caregivers / Homecare
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 24 Oct 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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Reacting to Cutting the cake fairly, a report from the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) on eligibility criteria for social care, Lizzie McLennan, Help the Aged Senior Policy Officer for health and social care, says:

"This report confirms what we have known for some time - the social care system is confusing, scary and failing to meet people's needs. The criteria for determining who is eligible for care and the type of care they receive is in urgent need of renewal.

"Care should be provided for everyone who needs it - not just for the poorest or those in the most critical need. It is crucial that we move away from someone's income being the deciding factor in the care they receive. Sometimes, just a little bit of support can go a long way to improving general health, wellbeing and quality of life.

"When you look at the inconsistencies in criteria and care services between local authorities, it's easy to see why older people have lost faith in the care system. We desperately need a system that doesn't leave people with the painstaking choice of arranging their own care without support, or doing without entirely.

"CSCI's recommendation of a minimum entitlement to help and support from a local authority could revolutionise the system of social care provision. If everyone has access to the same good quality information and advice, we will level the playing field. Help the Aged also welcomes the introduction of a national formula for allocating resources to people for their care. We are increasingly concerned about the way that cash payments for care are allocated, often being highly complex, confusing and difficult to challenge."

Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.

Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect.

Help The Aged