New figures published by Age UK have revealed that the number of older people living in England and Wales without social care support has hit a record high.
Approximately 1.4 million people aged 65 or above, who require social care support when considering basic requirements such as getting dressed, washed or getting out of bed are not receiving the required support, according to the official statistics.
The quotation below is from Age UK’s Charity Director, Caroline Abrahams:
“Older people around the country are being very badly let down by the catastrophic lack of government funding for social care.
“Our new analysis echoes what we hear all around the country: it is getting ever harder to access care if you need it and increasing numbers of frail, ill, older people are being left to manage alone.
“It is profoundly shocking that 1.4 million older people, one in seven of the entire older population, now has some degree of unmet need, and the numbers are rising fast.”
This is also having a significant impact on the National Health Service, as the necessary care is not available when a patient is ready to leave hospital, so therefore they cannot be discharged. Age UK estimates that this costs around £289.1 million each year.
To find out more about how we can help with any queries regarding matters relating to elderly and vulnerable clients please contact our Kettering office on 01536 513 195.
