Old to struggle at home alone
Oct 14 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal
ELDERLY people will be left to struggle on their own unless the Government helps hard-up North councils fund early care services, a minister has been warned.
Care minister Phil Hope has met health workers in Newcastle as the Government faces up to the multi-billion-pound cost of looking after an ageing population.
Council leaders have called on the minister to hand them the cash to solve the region’s growing care problem. All but two of the region’s councils have told pensioners they must fend for themselves, as budget restrictions mean they are unable to cover the cost of early-stage care.
This shortfall has meant thousands of pensioners are given no help with tasks such as feeding and washing.
Mr Hope told The Journal there were no easy answers and refused to rule out long-term tax increases to cover the cost.
“The truth is there is a large challenge and we are having to look at all the options and ask the question who pays and who is responsible, and what the split is between families, councils and the Government.
“We know the pressure is going to get much worse. And clearly there will be challenges in the years ahead. More of the same will not work.”
The minister was in the region to discuss the future of the Government’s care services and industry suggestions.
As people live longer, the Government faces a minimum £6bn bill for looking after the retired population. Mr Hope said: “Resources are tight, but we cannot be prepared to accept a view that says there is no help in any council area for people in need. That is not one that I find acceptable. We have to look now at the big questions of how we fund this.”
Despite extra Government funding, councils struggle to afford care and elderly people are often forced to sell their homes to pay for help. Northumberland County Council is one of many in the region which helps only those with the most severe care needs to remain at home.
Council leader Jeff Reid last night said the minister’s reluctance to promise cash for the vulnerable was “another absurd example” of how far off the mark the Government was. “How have we got to a situation where the Government makes long-term plans with no immediate offer to fund increased social services while doing all it can to help the City?”
Help the Aged’s policy director Paul Cann said its research had shown England’s care system did not have the confidence of people who would eventually need it.
For previous stories about care funding - and why some people are being forced to sell their homes because of the issue, click the links below
