Daily Mail

1 in 4 over-60s have seen their health decline in past year

Amid fury at no social care reforms in Queen’s Speech, a chilling figure:

- By Daniel Martin and Harriet Line

THE health of many pensioners has deteriorat­ed during the pandemic, piling further pressure on the broken care system, a major survey showed yesterday.

Age UK found that a quarter of over-60s – almost 4million in all – believe their ability to do everyday tasks has declined over the past year.

The charity said living through the fear, enforced isolation and inactivity caused by the pandemic has sharply accelerate­d the social care needs of significan­t numbers of the elderly.

These needs will have to be met by the care system yet Boris Johnson is not expected to lay down concrete reforms for the sector in today’s Queen’s Speech. When he took office almost two years ago he promised he would take action.

The Local Government Associatio­n said the lack of a detailed plan was a ‘bitter blow’ for care staff and the millions they help. And former health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: ‘The public would be astonished if we do nothing to fix the glaring gaps in the social care system.

‘We have all been humbled by the amazing job done by care workers in the last year, which is why there is so much public support for fixing the system.’

The Age UK survey found that the situation had become even worse over the past year, with pensioners being cooped up in their homes for very long periods.

The charity said muscles have weakened, balance and flexibilit­y have been undermined, and in many cases dementia has progressed more quickly than would otherwise be expected. This means more people will require social care than had been thought.

Age UK’s research found that 1.2million over-60s who had difficulty with stairs before the first lockdown in March last year report this activity had become even more difficult. Around 1.5million now struggle to walk short distances – when previously this was no challenge. The survey found that 3.8million of the over60s – 23 per cent – found everyday activities had become tougher.

The charity called on the Government to commit to concrete action in the Queen’s Speech today to

Another missed chance to tackle social care crisis The Mail yesterday

strengthen and expand the provision of social care in England.

Spokesman Caroline Abrahams said: ‘The fact that the pandemic has intensifie­d some older people’s need for care, while battering the workforce and underminin­g care services, means the gap between the care system we have and the one we need here in England is growing by the day.

‘With the horrors visited on care homes by Covid-19 and the heroism of our underpaid care workers still fresh in all our minds, it is more important than ever that the Prime Minister “fixes social care”.

‘A clear statement to this effect in the Queen’s Speech would give us hope that he and his Government really do intend to follow through this year.’

The analysis was based on an online survey that attracted almost 15,000 responses from older people and their carers. Edna, who is 85 and living with multiple long-term conditions, told Age UK: ‘My mobility had deteriorat­ed badly. I can walk to my gate but that’s all.

‘Even a small amount of effort leaves me breathless.’

Health minister Nadine Dorries said there would be a mention of social care in the Queen’s Speech.

The LGA said one-off government grants and the social care council tax precept were ‘sticking plaster solutions’ when long-term funding was needed.

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