Services cut as older people lose funding to younger groups

Preventive services for older people are being slashed because
of continuing age discrimination in social care, a coalition of
charities has said today, writes Mithran
Samuel.

In What price care in old age?, the Social Policy on
Ageing Information Network (SPAIN) says older people are receiving
47 per cent of social services funding despite constituting 62 per
cent of people using services.

The coalition, which includes Age Concern and Help the Aged, says
money is being “creamed off” to pay for services for
children and younger adults, leading to cuts in home care,
adaptation and mobility services for pensioners.

SPAIN chair Annie Stevenson said: “Older people everywhere
are paying for inadequate social care funding with their own mental
health, physical health and dignity.”