Long waits for care

Elderly people are being forced into residential care due to
excessive waits for occupational therapy assessments, Age Concern
England has claimed.

The charity found 67 per cent of its local branches had been
contacted by families concerned about assessment waiting times.

The report says the delays are exposing elderly people to the
risk of accidents at home, leaving them with no choice but to go
into residential or nursing home care.

Sally Greengross, director general of Age Concern England, said:
‘The confusion in occupational therapy services coupled with
diminishing resources means elderly people will suffer.

‘OT services can mean the difference between staying in your own
home or going into long-term care.’

The report adds to surveys by the College of Occupational
Therapists and the Local Government Management Board, which have
shown shortages of OT staff.

– Stuck on the Waiting List, from Age Concern, 0181 679
8000.