Age Concern And Help The Aged Comment On Demos Survey Showing That Four Out Of Five Care Users Don't Understand The Personal Budgets System, UK

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 30 Oct 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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Andrew Harrop, Head of Public Policy for Age Concern and Help the Aged, said:

'Giving people more choice and control through receiving an individual budget as a cash payment is a good thing; however not everyone will want them.

'For many older people, care is often organised in a short period of time, often following a hospital admission. An older person with new care needs won't always know how they're going to manage when they get home. Older people's care needs often change more frequently than younger adults, so while some may welcome the opportunity to manage their own budgets, many others won't.

'If the roll out of personal budgets is to be successful among older people, the Government needs to ensure that appropriate support is available at the right time to help them make informed decisions about buying their own care.'

Age Concern England and Help the Aged have joined together to form a single charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people.

Source
Help The Aged