Councils forced to withdraw help for elderly

Jun 9 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

A SHORTFALL in Government care funding is forcing North East councils to withhold help to elderly people unable to feed and wash themselves, according to new research.

The Local Government Association (LGA) has warned the system of adult social care in the UK is “creaking at the seams” with authorities only able to help those with most severe or critical needs.

Representing 400 councils in England and Wales, the LGA is now demanding better funding and a simpler system for care for disabled and elderly people as nearly three-quarters of local authorities have stopped providing lower level care.

This includes elderly people who need help with washing and eating.

Last night a North East pensioners’ group accused the Government of “conveniently forgetting about the elderly” by asking old people to stay at home but not providing the funds needed to help retired people live in dignity.

The LGA research reveals that while councils should be providing care for every elderly or disabled people in their own home, many can only afford a limited amount of support. This means thousands of elderly people are forced to live in unsuitable conditions before the council will step in to help, often in the final stages of a patient’s life.

Only Sunderland and Darlington can afford to help elderly people with a relatively low level of care needs, two of just four nationwide that provide full support.

Elsewhere many of the region’s local authorities are having to withhold cash until the need is either “severe” or “critical”.

Northumberland Council will only fund severe cases, often the point at which a professional nurse has to help the patient.

Newcastle Council will only help elderly people with a critical or substantial need for help, and like other authorities is forced to depend on charities to provide services for those with less severe needs.

And because the councils will not pay for care for elderly people, including those with Alzheimer’s disease, some families say they are being forced to sell the homes of elderly relatives to fund expensive care options.

David Rogers, LGA spokesperson on social care, said town halls “have their hands tied” because of huge budget constraints.

He said: “This has left councils with little option but to withdraw services for many who need help with activities such as washing, eating and getting the shopping in. The new statistics for eligibility criteria paint a stark picture of an under-funded and inflexible system that is beginning to creak at the seams.”

Director of policy at Help the Aged Paul Cann said yesterday: “There is a growing crisis in social care, and the gap between need and provision is rapidly turning into a gulf.

“Dwindling budgets are forcing greater rationing of social care services than ever before, leaving many of society’s most vulnerable to fend for themselves.”

North Durham MP Kevan Jones has raised the issue in Parliament, calling for Government measures to ensure the “quality of life in old age is rewarding and comfortable”.

Mr Jones told The Journal: “There are too many families struggling to cope with relatives in these conditions and we have to do more to support those who want to look after relatives at home.”

A Northumberland County Council spokeswoman said: “Our approach differs from the way the guidance has been interpreted by some other authorities, because we consider which of a person’s needs are critical and meet those, rather than putting service users into pigeonholes as critical or substantial cases.

“In practice, this may mean that we provide as high a level of support as many authorities which have adopted substantial needs as their threshold.”

Newcastle City Council director of adult services Ewen Weir said: “Unfortunately, limited social care budgets nationally mean that we, like other councils across the country, have to concentrate resources on those who have the greatest need.

“However, we do have a variety of ways to provide indirect care to those who do not have priority. For example, we financially support voluntary and community sector organisations who work with older people and vulnerable groups in their own homes.”

The Department of Health is currently considering changes to adult social care in a Government white paper.

Dwindling budgets are forcing greater rationing of social care services than ever before.

WHO QUALIFIES?

CRITICAL CARE

Critical care needs often comes after serious ill health, including the more developed stages of dementia, and those who frequently require paid nursing care.

Councils are told to apply this where the recipient "would very soon need to go into a care home or hospital if they do not get any support".

SUBSTANTIAL

A substantial need covers people who need lots of help with the majority of everyday practical tasks such as managing finances, shopping and cooking and there is no one to provide the level of help needed.

MODERATE

Moderate care, provided by few North East councils, covers situations where there is or will be an inability to carry out several personal care or domestic routines. These care needs cover people who need help with personal tasks, such as dressing, cooking and bathing. It also covers those who help with shopping and cleaning needs and have a carer who needs to keep working.

LOW

Low needs are instances where there is or will be an inability to carry out one or two personal care or domestic routines. It covers those who have trouble getting to the shops and will also need help to get in and out of the bath. It also covers those who do not have family members to help them.

WHAT LEVEL OF CARE DOES YOUR COUNCIL FUND?

Cumbria County Council – Critical / Substantial

Darlington Borough Council  – Critical / Substantial / Moderate / Low

Durham County Council – Critical / Substantial

Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council – Critical / Substantial

Hartlepool Borough Council – Critical / Substantial

Middlesbrough Council – Critical / Substantial

Newcastle Upon Tyne Council – Critical / Substantial

North Tyneside Council – Critical / Substantial

Northumberland County Council – Critical

South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council – Critical / Substantial

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council – Critical / Substantial / Moderate

Sunderland Council – Critical / Substantial / Moderate / Low