Government urged to ensure authorities reassess older people’s needs

When an older person is admitted into a care home, the husband or wife left behind can feel loss, guilt, financial hardship and loneliness, a new study has found.

The issue was highlighted earlier this year when older couple Richard and Beryll Driscoll were separated when Richard went into a care home. Gloucestershire social services originally said Beryll was not eligible for support but then reassessed her needs, admitted her and reunited the couple.

The report, published by the Relatives and Residents Association yesterday, urges the government to issue guidance to local authorities to regularly review the care needs of people they have assessed.

Other recommendations include a call for councils to offer a carer’s assessment to partners when arranging for an older person’s admission to a care home.

The report draws on the experiences of callers to the Relatives and Residents Association’s helpline.

Relatives and Residents Association http://www.relres.org/