1.5m elderly ‘have unmet need for care’

AROUND 1.5 million older people in England have an unmet need for social care, a charity has warned.

Age UK estimates that one in seven people aged 65 and over struggles with everyday tasks such as getting out of bed, going to the toilet, washing and getting dressed.

By 2030, some 2.1 million could be in need of help but will not be receiving it, the charity said.

It has launched its own manifesto ahead of the General Election, calling for care free at the point of use as well as a standardised national eligibility threshold for accessing care and a standard process for applying.

It says at least £8 billion needs to be invested over the next two years, echoing recommendations from the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee.

The committee said in July that the Government must immediately spend £8 billion to restore social care to acceptable standards and then introduce free personal care over a five-year period.

The Age UK estimates are based on the proportion of people in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing who say they have an unmet need, together with future population projections.

Caroline Abrahams, director of the charity, said the figure of 1.5 million was “shameful”.

She added: “For the last few years, these figures have been getting worse as governments dither over how to overhaul a system of care that everyone agrees is no longer fit for purpose.

“Some older people are fortunate and receive good care from committed staff, which makes a huge difference to their lives, but far too many are going without the support they need to live decently and with dignity.”