Crisis looms as number of OAPs rockets

BRITAIN’S ageing population is piling more pressure on the creaking social care system.

A study showed the number of people aged 85 or older who require roundthe-clock help will double in fewer than 20 years.

An estimated 446,000 of over-85s will have highdependency care needs by 2035 – up from 233,000 in 2015.

Overall, more than one million people aged 65 or over will require intensive social care assistance by 2035, up from 783,000 in 2015, the Newcastle University study warns. THE Mirror’s Fair Care for All campaign is calling for the following:

■ The creation of a National Care System (NCS) to run alongside the NHS

■ Carers to be paid the Real Living Wage

■ An end to home visits of 15 minutes or less

■ Increase the carers allowance for unpaid carers ■ Encourage a national system of volunteering to spend time with the elderly ■ Appoint a Minister for the Elderly

■ A National Commission on how to fund the care revolution