Independent Age response to the Queen's
Speech - social care
09-05-12
Director of Policy, Simon Bottery, said:
'It is enormously disappointing that the "f" word - funding - is
again completely absent from the government's proposal for a draft
bill on social care. Proposals in the other areas, particularly
improved advice and information, will be welcome but funding is the
bedrock upon which all other reforms rely. The government
acknowledged this by setting up the Dilnot commission but there is
no reference whatsoever to its recommendations, even though they
have been almost universally welcomed.
The only glimmer of hope is that the draft bill could yet be
used as a vehicle for funding reform, if all-party agreement can be
reached and the modest costs of reform found. The cross-party talks
currently underway on social care therefore take on even greater
urgency. All the parties agree on the urgent need for reform of
social care funding and there is the basis of a ready-made a
solution available in the Dilnot recommendations. Failure to reach
agreement and to include funding reform in the bill would be a
failure not just of those in need of care but of our entire
political process.
Organisations and campaigners involved in the reform of social
care now need to keep pressure on the government to ensure the key
issue of funding still takes its rightful place in the bill.'
Open letter to Prime Minister on social
care reform
08-05-12
The Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA
8th May 2012
Dear Prime Minister,
Social care is in crisis - the system is chronically under
funded and in urgent need of reform. Without this, too many older
and disabled people will be left in desperate circumstances:
struggling on alone, living in misery and fear.
The system is a lottery - some of us will be lucky enough never
to need care, but many of us will need support at some stage in our
lives to carry out everyday tasks and could lose everything - our
savings, our dignity, our independence. We agree with your comments
in March that action is needed to reform a system which can
currently leave people helpless, in the dark about their care and
suffering massive losses as a result of care bills.
We see the devastating impact of years of failure to reform. The
right care and support can enable older and disabled people to live
independent and fulfilled lives - but we currently face a vicious
circle where limited resources are focussed on only those with the
very highest of needs. This only worsens the crisis in care as many
older or disabled people are left without support - in quiet
desperation, trying to cope alone, often ending up in hospital or
crisis care. Families are paying the price too, as experienced
staff are forced out of work to care for relatives, and many carers
pushed to breaking point caring for loved ones.
There is widespread and increasing support for urgent reform -
from across society and the political spectrum. That is why we are
calling on you to take forward social care reform as your personal
mission, your legacy to future generations. Without this
leadership, we fear the fundamental and lasting change needed
cannot be delivered.
We recognise that it is not an easy task, but it is achievable.
The reports of the Dilnot Commission and the Law Commission have
set out a roadmap for the funding structure and legal reforms that
together will help to produce a fair and sustainable system. As the
Government prepares to publish a White Paper on social care and
progress report on funding, it is essential we bring together all
those who can play a part in creating a better care system for the
future and help to ensure this year marks a turning point for
care.
We firmly believe that the care challenge we face requires all
of us to pull together, and we stand ready to work with you to
secure the changes we need. That is why we are calling on you to
personally convene a care summit in advance of the White Paper, to
bring together all parts of Government along with public service
leaders, local government, charities, providers, community groups,
unions and the business community. Whilst we know decisions,
particularly on the funding of care, will be difficult; they must
be made now - older and disabled people and their families cannot
wait and will not accept delay or half-measures.
We want disabled and older people and their families to be able
to live without fear of what tomorrow might bring. We are asking
you as Prime Minister to show the vision and courage to make this a
reality.
Signed
Ailsa Bosworth, Chief Executive, National Rheumatoid Arthritis
Society
Alasdair McLeish, Acting Chief Executive Officer, MND
Association
Alex Fox, Chief Executive, Shared Lives Plus
Alex Turner, Managing Director, Listawood Promotional Products
Ltd
Andrew Harrop, General Secretary, Fabian Society
Anne Roberts OBE, Chief Executive, Carers Trust
Anthea Sully, Director, Learning Disability Coalition
Arlene Wilkie, Chief Executive, Neurological Alliance
Baroness Campbell of Surbiton, Crossbench Peer
Baroness Greengross of Notting Hill, Chief Executive, ILC-UK
Baroness Meacher of Spitalfields, Crossbench Peer
Barrie Oldham, Chief Executive, The Disabilities Trust
Brendan Barber, General Secretary, Trades Union Congress
(TUC)
Bridget Warr, Chief Executive, United Kingdom Homecare
Association
Caroline Waters OBE, Chair, Employers for Carers
Cath Stanley, Chief Executive, Huntington's Disease
Association
Chris Simmonds, Chief Executive, Vitalise
Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive, Macmillan Cancer Support
Clare Pelham, Chief Executive, Leonard Cheshire Disability
Dave Prentis, General Secretary, UNISON
David Praill, Chief Executive, Help the Hospices
Deborah Jack, Chief Executive, NAT (National AIDS Trust)
Des Kelly OBE, Executive Director, National Care Forum
Dr Finbarr Martin, President, British Geriatrics Society
Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of Council, British Medical
Association
Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary, Royal
College of Nursing
Dr Roger Wicks, Director of Research and Policy, Action on Hearing
Loss
Dr Ros Altmann, Director General, Saga
Eve Richardson, Chief Executive, National Council for Palliative
Care
Garry Fitzgerald, Chief Executive, Action on Elder Abuse
Gavin Hayes, General Secretary, Compass
Gil Baldwin, Chief Executive Officer, Tunstall Healthcare
Group
Gillian Crosby, Director, Centre for Policy on Ageing
Gillian Morbey OBE, Chief Executive, Sense
Helen O'Brien, Chief Executive, Caritas Social Action Network
(CSAN)
Heléna Herklots, Chief Executive, Carers UK
Hilton Dawson, Chief Executive, The British Association of Social
Workers
Imelda Redmond CBE, Director of Policy & Public Affairs, Marie
Curie Cancer Care
Jane Ashcroft, Chief Executive, Anchor
Janet Morrison, Chief Executive, Independent
Age
Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive, Alzheimer's Society
Jeremy Taylor, Chief Executive, National Voices
Jon Barrick, Chief Executive, Stroke Association
Jonathan Senker, Chief Executive, VoiceAbility
Julia Unwin, Chief Executive, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Leon Smith, Chief Executive, Nightingale Hammerson
Lesley-Anne Alexander, Chief Executive, RNIB
Liz Sayce OBE, Chief Executive, Disability Rights UK
Lord Low of Dalston CBE, Crossbench Peer
Lord Victor Adebowale, Chief Executive, Turning Point
Mark Ellerby, Managing Director, Bupa Care Services
Mark Goldring, Chief Executive, Mencap
Mark Lever, Chief Executive, National Autistic Society
Martin Green, Chief Executive, English Community Care
Association
Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director, Age UK
Mike Parsons, Founder and Chief Executive, Barchester
Healthcare
Nick Young, Chief Executive, British Red Cross
Oi Mei Li, Director, National Family Carers Network
Otto Thoresen, Director General, Association of British
Insurers
Patrick Vernon, Chief Executive, Afiya Trust
Paul Jenkins, Chief Executive, Rethink Mental Illness
Paul McCay, Director of Operations, Papworth Trust
Paul Woodward, Chief Executive, Sue Ryder
Professor Sue Yeandle, Director, Centre for International Research
on Care, Labour & Equalities
Professor Peter Beresford OBE, Chair, Shaping Our Lives
Pushpa Raguvaran, Chief Executive, Housing 21
Rachael Byrne, Executive Director, Care & Support, Home
Group
Richard Hawkes, Chief Executive, Scope
Richard Leaman, Chief Executive, Guide Dogs
Rick Henderson, Chief Executive, Action for Advocacy
Robert Meadowcroft, Chief Executive, Muscular Dystrophy
Campaign
Roger Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Methodist Homes (MHA)
Roger Phillips, Regional Vice President, Nutricia
Sam Smethers, Chief Executive, Grandparents Plus
Sarah Pickup, President, Association of Directors of Adult Social
Services
Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive, MS Society
Simon Morris, Chief Executive, Jewish Care
Simon Whalley, Chairman, Birtley House Group
Sir Merrick Cockell, Chairman, Local Government Association
Sir Nick Partridge, Chief Executive, Terrence Higgins Trust
Sir Stephen Bubb, Chief Executive, ACEVO
Srabani Sen, Chief Executive, Contact a Family
Steve Ford, Chief Executive, Parkinson's UK
Sue Adams, Director, Care & Repair England
Su Sayer, Chief Executive, United
Response
Independent Age
response development of technology to assist older
drivers
24-04-12
Director of Policy, Simon Bottery, said:
"We welcome the development of technology which could assist
drivers, whatever their age.
Older people naturally face issues with their health, such as
slowing reactions or declining eyesight, so the development of this
tool could help keep them on the road. But we mustn't assume that
older people are unsafe drivers. All research shows that they are
in fact among the safest on our roads. Unlike some younger drivers,
who greatly overestimate their own abilities, evidence suggests
that older drivers know their limitations and restrict their
driving or change their habits. These type of technologies might
help rebuild confidence and allow them stay independent for
longer."
Independent Age response to March 2012
Budget
21-03-12
Director of Policy, Simon Bottery, said:
"We strongly welcome the government's announcement of plans to
legislate for a flat-rate old age pension. However the detailed
proposals will be critical. In particular, the government has said
that the new pension will not apply to existing pensioners. This
means the 1.7 million pensioners in poverty who currently do not
claim Pension Credit will gain nothing. The new pension should
apply to all pensioners, current and future.
However we are disappointed that the Chancellor chose to target
pensioners, of all groups, to raise cash for the giveaways in his
Budget. Freezing the rate of age-related tax allowances, and
withdrawing it entirely for those retiring from April 2013, raises
more money than any other single measure in the budget. It will be
an unfair burden on the millions of pensioners affected and it is
disingenuous to justify it by calling it a 'simplification'."
Independent
Age response to the Dignity Commission report
29-02-12
Director of Policy, Simon Bottery, said:
"In light of the current upheaval and uncertainty in the NHS,
the recommendations made by the Dignity Commission have come at an
opportune moment. The current focus on high-level reform must not
forget the fundamental basics of giving dignified care to older
people with a personal touch. Independent Age remains concerned
that as a result of the sweeping top-down changes, older patients
who should be at the centre of the process, will been completely
sidelined. Government must ensure that any reform will ensure less
bureaucracy, more staff autonomy and most importantly, more patient
empowerment, control and choice.
'In particular, Independent Age supports calls to enable older
people being discharged into the community from hospital to remain
as independent as possible, and that the impact of any hospital
stays are closely monitored. Too many calls to our Advice Service
show that many older people go into hospital able to walk and live
independently but are discharged in a wheelchair.
Older people in care homes must be empowered to have more
independence and control over their care. They should not simply be
treated as 'residents'; instead better transfer of NHS resources
must be made available to councils and providers to ensure older
people's right to access their local community is supported.
'The White Paper on future social care reform and the
accompanying progress report on funding simply cannot come soon
enough to establish a new system which works to ensure older people
are treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve."
Independent Age response to the
Health Select Committee's report on social care
08-02-12
Director of Policy, Simon Bottery, said:
"The Health Committee has confirmed a fact that is clear to
everyone except the government - not enough money is going into
social care and this is leading to worse services, increased demand
for the NHS and poorer quality of life for older people. While it
is true that the government has allocated further cash for local
authorities, this is not getting through to social care and a
further cash injection is desperately needed.
We are also pleased that the Committee has added its voice to
the overwhelming call for implementation of the Dilnot Commission's
recommendations on social care funding. There is now a wide
consensus that the government needs to accept the Commission's
proposals for reform of our failed social care funding system in
its promised report in April.
We strongly support the Committee's call for greater integration
of social care with health and housing. We agree with the
recommendation for creation of a single commissioning process for
older people's health services locally, and development nationally
of a common set of outcome targets for older people's social care,
health and housing.
However we think these actions, while positive, need to be
combined with a cultural shift if the behaviour of staff working in
these fields is to change. In particular, we think that more action
is needed to ensure that housing, especially for homeowners, is not
left behind in any future integration of health and social
care."
Open letter to the
Prime Minister on social care reform
02-01-12
The Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA
Dear Prime Minister,
As a society we face a growing care challenge.
We should celebrate the fact that we are all living longer
lives, particularly disabled people and those with long-term
conditions. But the unavoidable challenge we face is how to support
the increasing number of people who need care.
It is currently a challenge which we are failing to meet -
resulting in terrible examples of abuse and neglect in parts of the
care system.
This comes at huge cost to the dignity and independence of older
and disabled people, but also to our society, family life and the
economy:
An estimated 800,000 older people are being left without basic
care¹ - lonely, isolated and at risk. Others face losing their
homes and savings because of soaring care bills.
Disabled people are unable get the support they need to live
their lives independently and be part of society.
Businesses are losing increasing numbers of experienced staff
who are forced to give up work to care for older or disabled
relatives. These carers can then be pushed to breaking point,
providing round the clock care.
Our NHS is also paying the price, as a lack of support leads to
avoidable hospital admissions and then keeps older and disabled in
hospital beds because they cannot be cared for at home.
We have a duty as a nation to change this - but it requires
political leadership.
This summer, the independent Dilnot Commission into Funding of
Care and Support published its recommendations. In response, your
Government has committed to publishing a White Paper on Social Care
by April.
With new cross-party talks on the future of care, we are closer
than ever to reaching a new consensus. We urge you and the other
party leaders to seize this opportunity for urgent, fundamental and
lasting reform: delivering a social care system which can provide
the well-funded and high-quality care and support we would all
expect for ourselves and our families.
Signed:
Rick Henderson, Chief Executive, Action for Advocacy
Gary Fitzgerald, Chief Executive, Action on Elder Abuse
Dr Roger Wicks, Director, Research, Policy & Government
Relations, Action on Hearing Loss
Gary Fitzgerald, Chief Executive, Action on Elder Abuse
Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director, Age UK
Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive, Alzheimer's Society
Jane Ashcroft, Chief Executive, Anchor
Otto Thoresen, Director General, Association of British
Insurers
Mike Parsons, Founder and Chief Executive, Barchester
Healthcare
Hilton Dawson, Chief Executive, The British Association of Social
Workers
Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman, British Medical Association
Council
Michael Adamson, Managing Director, British Red Cross
Caroline Waters OBE, Director of People and Policy, BT plc; Chair,
Employers for Carers
Mark Ellerby, Managing Director, Bupa Care Services
Emily Holzhausen, Director of Policy & Public Affairs, Carers
UK
Helen O'Brien, Chief Executive, Caritas Social Action Network
(CSAN)
Professor Sue Yeandle, Director, Centre for International Research
on Care, Labour & Equalities, University of Leeds
Mel Flogdell, Head of HR Policy, Centrica Plc
Gillian Guy, Chief Executive, Citizens Advice
Baroness Campbell of Surbiton, Crossbench Peer
Baroness Meacher of Spitalfields, Crossbench Peer
Lord Low of Dalston CBE, Crossbench Peer
Anne Roberts OBE, Chief Executive, Crossroads Care
Gavin Hayes, General Secretary, Compass
Martin Green, Chief Executive, English Community Care
Association
Andrew Harrop, General Secretary, Fabian Society
David Cowdrey, Head of Public Policy & Campaigns, Guide
Dogs
Bruce Moore, Chief Executive, Hanover
Rachael Byrne, Executive Director, Care & Support, Home
Group
Bill Crowder, Head of Care Services, Huntington's Disease
Association
Baroness Greengross of Notting Hill, Chief Executive, ILC-UK
Janet Morrison, Chief Executive, Independent
Age
Simon Morris, Chief Executive, Jewish Care
Terence Stokes, Chief Executive, Lasa
Anthea Sully, Director , Learning Disability Coalition
Alex Turner, Managing Director, Listawood Ltd
Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive, Macmillan Cancer Support
Imelda Redmond CBE, Director of Policy & Public Affairs, Marie
Curie Cancer Care
Mark Goldring, Chief Executive, Mencap
Roger Davies, CEO, Methodist Homes (MHA)
Dr Kirstine Knox, Chief Executive, Motor Neurone Disease
Association
Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive, MS Society
Mark Lever, Chief Executive, National Autistic Society
Sue Bott, Director, National Centre for Independent Living
Oi Mei Li, Director, National Family Carers Network
Eve Richardson, Chief Executive, National Palliative Care
Council
Ailsa Bosworth, National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society
Jeremy Taylor, Chief Executive, National Voices
Arlene Wilkie, Chief Executive, Neurological Alliance
Mike Farrar, Chief Executive, NHS Confederation
Elaine Kerr, Chief Executive, Norwood
Roger Phillips, Regional Vice President, Nutricia
Steve Ford, Chief Executive, Parkinson's UK
Liz Fenton, Chief Executive, Princess Royal Trust for Carers
Liz Sayce OBE, Chief Executive, Radar
Judy Downey, Chair, Relatives and Residents Association
Paul Jenkins, Chief Executive, Rethink Mental Illness
Lesley-Anne Alexander, Chief Executive, RNIB
Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive, Royal Society for the
Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)
Richard Hawkes, Chief Executive, Scope
Gillian Morbey OBE, Chief Executive, Sense
Peter Beresford, Chair, Shaping Our Lives
Alex Fox, Chief Executive, Shared Lives Plus
James Lloyd, Director, Strategic Society Centre
Jon Barrick, Chief Executive, The Stroke Association
Paul Woodward, Chief Executive, Sue Ryder Care
Brendan Barber, General Secretary, Trades Union Congress
(TUC)
Victor Adebowale, Chief Executive, Turning Point
Su Sayer, Chief Executive, United Response
John Hannett, General Secretary, USDAW
Val Morrison, Moderator of the General Assembly, United Reformed
Church
¹Care in Crisis (2011) Age UK
Independent Age's response to George
Osborne's Autumn Statement: increase in Pension Credit
29.11.11
Director of Policy, Simon Bottery, said:
"We welcome the decision to increase pension credit by the same
amount as the basic State Pension. This will benefit many very poor
pensioners. However we think it is petty to pay for this by
restricting Savings Credit. This is helping the very poor by taking
from the quite poor. It is like Robin Hood stealing from Friar
Tuck."
Independent Age's
response to poll calling for ban on older drivers
27.11.11
Director of Policy, Simon Bottery, said:
"All research shows that older drivers are in fact among the
safest on our roads and 18-25 year olds are the greater risk. This
poll suggests that some younger drivers greatly overestimate their
own abilities and greatly underestimate those of older drivers.
All drivers, of whatever age, need to take responsibility for
themselves and consider whether they are fit to drive and under
what circumstances. Evidence suggests that older drivers who are
concerned about their abilities are already restricting their
driving where necessary."
Independent Age's response to The
Equality and Human Rights Commission's inquiry into the home care
system in England
23.11.11
Director of Policy, Simon Bottery, said:
"This is a shocking but fair report, which confirms our fears of
poor practice and even abuse in home care for older people, but
which also highlights good practice that can be built upon. It
emphasises the need for fundamental reform of the social care
system, along the lines proposed by the recent Commission on the
Funding of Care and Support, chaired by Andrew Dilnot.
"The findings echo the recent Care Quality Commission report on
older people's care within hospitals in finding that the 'basics'
of dignity, respect and adequate care are not being addressed in
home care. However, unlike hospital care, many home care users
contribute towards the cost themselves, and this trend will
continue with the increased use of personal budgets and direct
payments. So there is a clear and obvious need to give
consumers much more information and advice about choosing care
services, and much more feedback on service quality.
"At the moment, you can get far more consumer information before
you buy a paperback book on Amazon than before you enter into a
contract with a company that will be organising intimate and
essential care for yourself or an older relative. Better consumer
feedback would allow good quality services to shine through, while
also helping identify poor services.
"We agree with the EHRC that too much reliance has been placed
upon providers to self assess the services they provide, and that
not enough is done to provide older people using social care
services with a voice to challenge any poor care they
experience. We think local authorities should include in
their contracts clearer requirements for providers to monitor and
check the services they provide, and local authorities should
reverse the trend to base commissioning on cost rather than
quality. The practice of holding 'reverse e-auctions' to decide
care providers should be outlawed.
"We think that instances of abuse could be dealt with under
existing government guidance on safeguarding, but that requires a
need for a more vigorous and proactive leadership and monitoring of
social care than exists at present, both locally by councils and
nationally by the Care Quality Commission. We welcome the decision
by the CQC to inspect care home providers, though we are
disappointed they have only announced the initiative on the eve of
publication of this report."
Independent Age's response
on the double dip recession and the impact on
pensioners
26.09.11
Simon Bottery, Director of Policy, Independent Age,
said:
'The technicality of a 'double dip' recession will be lost on many
older people, who can be forgiven for missing the fact that we are
officially out of recession. They have been hit disproportionately
hard by inflation and rising prices and are facing an increasing
struggle to balance the rising cost of living with a small, and
often fixed, income and little or no savings. Coupled with this,
the most frail have been hit by chronic underfunding of care and
support, as well as tightening eligibility criteria, as local
authorities attempt to plug the existing funding gaps in the
system.
'Yet the recommendations for the long-term funding of social
care by Andrew Dilnot, in his Fairer Care Funding report are not
just essential but could be part of a recession-busting strategy.
The investment he recommends would mean the creation of new jobs in
social care which could help kick start the economy. We also
believe the coalition needs to review cuts being made by local and
national government to ensure that they are not disproportionately
affecting the poorest and most vulnerable older people. It is
services to these people which above all must be protected.'
Independent Age's response to
research by Imperial College London suggesting over 60s using buses
are less likely to become obese
13.09.11
Simon Bottery, Director of Policy, Independent Age,
said:
'This research suggests an important health benefit of bus
use. We already know that access to public transport allows
older people to continue leading active lives and to stay linked
with their local community, when they might otherwise struggle to
get out and about. Now we know that buses could be saving the NHS
money by helping keep older people fit and preventing the need for
treatment of conditions such as obesity. This research demonstrates
an even greater need for national and local government to be much
more joined up in light of current cuts to bus subsidies. It makes
no sense for central government to require councils to give all
pensioners a free bus pass, while at the same time allowing them to
withdraw subsidies from the very routes that they use.'
Independent
Age's response to Patients Association research revealing two out
of three hospital patients are not being checked for signs of
malnutrition
22.8.11
Simon Bottery, Director of Policy, Independent Age,
said:
'The news that older people are still suffering from malnutrition
and dehydration while in hospital is incredibly disappointing. We
all know that food and water are the basics of care and are vital
to rest and recuperation, yet somehow they are still going amiss in
our NHS.'
'Staff must properly engage with their patients to ensure they are
being properly looked after. Conditions like arthritis or problems
with sight can make doing things like eating and pouring a drink
much more difficult for some older people. And if staff don't pay
enough attention to the individual needs of their patients, these
things can slip under the radar, with devastating
consequences.'
Independent Age's
response to the news that 70% of councils target bus routes in
cuts
2.8.11
Simon Bottery, Director of Policy, Independent Age, said:
'Bus routes are vital for thousands of older people
without their own transport, particularly in rural areas where
links are already poor. Access to public transport allows older
people to continue leading active lives and to stay linked with
their local community, when they might otherwise struggle to get
out and about. While we accept that councils have to save money, we
believe they are targeting the wrong things. Cutting bus routes
would have the worst impact on those who need them most and will
simply leave a greater number of older people cut off.
National and local government needs to be much more joined up. It
makes no sense for central government to require councils to give
all pensioners a free bus pass, while at the same time allowing
them to withdraw subsidies from the very routes that the most
isolated older people will be using.'
Independent Age's response to
ballerina Elaine McDonald's fight for overnight care
07.07.11
Simon Bottery, Director of Policy, Independent Age, said:
'This ruling means that older people with care needs do
not have a right to use a toilet at night and must wear
incontinence pads, even though they are not incontinent. It is
utterly shameful.
'It is a clear warning of what care and support will become if the
latest funding recommendations put forward by Andrew Dilnot are not
acted on, and clearly shows the need for an urgent cash injection
until the recommendations can be implemented.'
Independent Age's response to the Dilnot Report
04.07.11
The following statement comes from Simon Bottery, Director of
Policy, Independent Age:
'We welcome the recommendations laid out by Andrew Dilnot
this morning. They are fair and affordable, and should ensure we
are all better cared for in our older age.
'The current care system is in crisis and, without action, will
only get worse. These proposals will resolve many of the
anxieties about the system and we urge the government to stick to
Dilnot's proposed timetable of spring next year to act on
them.
'This provides the government with an opportunity to end years of
procrastinating on this issue and it will be unforgivable to insist
on another round of deliberation just to put off paying the modest
additional sum that the recommendations would cost
'Some key points:
• We welcome the proposal to prevent people from
losing their homes when paying for care, by setting a 'cap' on the
amount that has to be paid for social care in a lifetime. The new
system would mean no one could lose more than 30% of their assets
paying for care. It creates a much fairer split between the
individual and the state in meeting the costs of care, and is a
much clearer way for people to see how much they might be expected
to pay.
• We welcome the increase in the financial
threshold at which people must start paying for care to £100,000,
which avoids the cliff edge that people currently face.
• Setting a national level at which people
become eligible to receive care and support is a vital
recommendation. It allows everyone in England to understand their
responsibilities and entitlements, wherever they are, and allows
people to move home without fear of losing care.
• We particularly welcome the recognition that a
major new advice and information strategy is needed so that people
understand the system and can take responsibility for planning
their futures within it.
'These proposals will not however solve the immediate crisis. That
requires an immediate cash injection by the government until these
proposals can be implemented. Chronic underfunding has had a
devastating impact on the lives of Britain's most vulnerable and
isolated older people for years. And recent cutbacks have made the
situation worse, with many councils restricting care to only the
most critical cases.'
Letter to the Daily Telegraph, recommending cross-party talks and
a timetable for care reform
03.07.11
Signed by Simon Bottery, Director of Policy, Independent Age and
25 others
Independent Age's response to the Equality and Human Rights
Commission's report on the neglect of elderly people
20.06.11
The following statement comes from Ian Buchan, Director of
Care Services, Independent Age:
'This report highlights, once again, the devastating impact that
underfunding social care has on too many older people. It means
that councils don't pay agencies enough, and the result is poor
quality, ad hoc care, often with minimal management and
supervision. Staff that are being asked to do a very complex job,
with frail and vulnerable older people, receive little training and
support and are often forced to rush between cases to save travel
time, for which they are not paid.
'Probably more shocking is that, funding issues aside, this kind
of treatment has been accepted for many years. It is a great shame
that it takes a human rights watchdog to point out the neglect that
local authorities have been aware of for years. We have to ask
whether children or younger adults would be treated in this way,
and why, in our supposedly civilised society, this is tolerated for
older people.'
Independent Age response to King's fund report revealing
'age bias' in NHS
09.06.11
The following statement comes from Simon Bottery, Director
of Policy, Independent Age:
'This report shows, in the most shocking way, that ageism and
discrimination are still rife in our NHS. Some older people are
treated as though they have a shelf life, and like second class
citizens compared with children or younger adults.
'In our experience, and as the many reports of poor treatment on
hospital wards shows, this discrimination can be seen right across
the healthcare system. The older people we support are routinely
told by GPs that their health problems are simply "part of getting
old". Treatment is often limited by this view. Older people with
depression, for example, are more likely to be prescribed just
anti-depressants and are less likely to receive the talking
therapies that younger people are offered.'
Earlier
Statements:
May
2011
April
2011
March
2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July
2010
