LGA: ‘People are avoiding reality over funding older people’s care’

Nearly one quarter of people are failing to make financial provision for when they can no longer work, according to research by the Local Government Association published today.

A huge 93% of those in  It Won’t Happen to Me Survey believed it was “likely” or “very likely” most people would require care in their old age. But only 13% of people correctly estimated the cost of care in a residential home for one elderly person for a year was up to £35,000.

Avoiding reality

The LGA said the survey of 860 adults in England showed that a fifth of people were “avoiding facing up to the realities of life as an older person” and called on the government to prioritise the issue.

Cllr David Rogers, chair of the LGA’s community wellbeing board, said the figures highlighted the public needed to be engaged in the debate about how to provide services in the future.

Unsustainable

The association warned that current system of providing adult social care was “unsustainable,” with the number of over 65s set to increase to 11.4 million in 2025, including a big rise among those needing support for conditions such as dementia.

“Councils are well aware of this ticking timebomb, and it’s time for national politicians to prove their commitment to the issue by including it as one of their main concerns.

Root and branch

“There needs to be a thorough root and branch review of care for older and disabled people, including how it is provided, managed and funded,” Rogers added.

The LGA released the findings today as it held a conference on the future of adult social care in London, expected to be attended by care services minister Phil Hope and his opposition counterparts.

The government’s green paper on the future of adult care and support is due to be published later this year. 

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