The pensioners living in ‘care deserts’

PUGH IS AWAY

LARGE areas of the country are turning into ‘care deserts’ where it is impossible to find care home places for vulnerable older people, a report warns.

Frail Britons are forced to live in care homes miles from their families, and in some areas shortages are so bad that the only available beds are in those rated inadequate by regulators.

Yesterday’s report, produced for Age UK, said poorer regions were worst hit – where most care home residents have few savings and so have fees paid by councils. Local authorities use their bulk-buying powers to drive down fees – meaning care home profits are restricted. By contrast, in wealthier parts where a higher proportion of care home residents have savings or own homes and pay their own fees, there are more places. But their costs are unfairly high, the report said. On average their places cost £236 a week more than a council pays – in effect a £2.2billion annual subsidy to the care industry. Areas badly short of places include Hull, the study carried out by consultants Incisive Health said.

It said the ‘current model has broken down’ in some areas that have become ‘care deserts’, which are ‘localities where there is literally no care to be had..’.

Those with savings or a home worth more than £23,250 must pay their own bills, typically £750 a week. Caroline Abrahams, of Age UK, called the market ‘chaotic and broken’.