Full Reality Of Care Is Misunderstood, Says Help The Aged, UK

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 17 Aug 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Responding to the Saga study which shows that people are underestimating the cost of care, Lizzie McLennan, Senior Policy Officer for Social Care at Help the Aged, says:

"The full reality of care on the ground is clearly misunderstood - by the Government, older people and their families. We can't afford to live in a society where it is just assumed that families will step in to cover the gaps in paying for care for older people. As it stands the system would fall apart without the dedicated and often unrewarded work of family carers - they should not be expected to provide the care and foot the bill.

"Serious questions about the future of social care are currently being debated and the role of families and carers needs to be a priority within that. Families are the backbone of care and their support shouldn't be abused or taken advantage of - the Government must support carers, both financially and practically."

Right care, Right deal is the new national campaign launched to build public awareness and support for the need for brave and innovative solutions for the social care system. With the Government indicating that social care is an urgent political priority, and in advance of the expected green paper later in 2008, the campaign combines three of the UK's largest charities working with and for older people and their families and carers, and will urge the government to renew its vision for the future of social care in England. Visit www.rightcare.org.uk

The members of Right care, Right deal are Help the Aged, Counsel & Care and Carers UK.

Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.

Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect. Visit www.helptheaged.org.uk or call 0207 239 1982.