Fear of death is, perhaps, part of the human condition. But it is a bitter irony that our collective success in postponing the inevitable stirs avoidable anxieties. Foremost among them, in England at least, is being ruined by stratospheric care costs. The Dilnot report reaffirmed the terrible nature of the financial risk which the elderly run, and produced a practical plan for banishing the worst of the fears.
Author Archives: wendy
Mr Dilnot has provided an opportunity that will not be bettered.
Dilnot care commission: In place of fear
It was dismaying to hear No 10 meet this powerful report by murmuring that care was ‘complex and difficult’
- Editorial
- guardian.co.uk, Monday 4 July 2011 21.11 BST
Social care costs ‘should be capped at £35,000’
Social care costs ‘should be capped at £35,000’
By Nick Triggle
Health correspondent, BBC News
Social care costs in England should be capped so people do not face losing large chunks of their assets, a independent review says.
Council-funded home help and care home places for the elderly and adults with disabilities are currently only offered to those with under £23,250 of assets.
The Dilnot report said the threshold should rise to £100,000 and a £35,000 lifetime cap on costs would be “fair”.
But the Treasury is known to have doubts about the expense of the plans.
Councils could offer loans to homeowners in Dilnot report proposal
Councils could offer loans to homeowners in Dilnot report proposal
Commission will suggest fund-raising changes allowing local authorities to lend money against the value of property
Andrew Dilnot’s report into old age care reform will offer local councils the power to lend to homeowners entering residential care. Photograph: David Levene
Local councils are poised to take on a major financial services role under proposed reforms to be unveiled on Monday of the funding system for the care of elderly and disabled people.
Under the scheme, local authorities will be empowered to make a loan at a preferential rate against the value of a property owned by someone entering a care home. The loan would be redeemed on the sale of the property after the person dies.
