Category Archives: Older care

Lack of funding could threaten Care Act reforms, councils warn

August 8, 2014   Carers, Featured Article, Older care, Social care, ukcuts

Local Government Association poll highlights council concerns over cost burdens of landmark reforms

By on August 7, 2014 in Adults, Care Act 2014

Nine out of ten councils believe that key planks of the Care Act will be jeopardised unless the government gives local authorities ‘adequate’ funding to implement the reforms, a survey by the Local Government Association has found.

In reforms to be introduced in April 2016, the Act will allow self-funding service users to request an assessment to be considered for a ‘cap’ on their care costs. But the LGA poll of 152 local authorities found that councils had “major” concerns over the cost of the policy.

Read More

Thousands of OAPs are denied handrails or stairlifts in their homes

August 7, 2014   Carers, Featured Article, Older care

Despite alterations helping to keep them independent

Number of home adaptations installed has plummeted by 5,500 since 2011

  • Lack is one reason why elderly patients can not be discharged from hospital
  • But critics say councils have cut back while still paying huge salaries

By Tamara Cohen

Published: 00:51, 7 August 2014 | Updated: 08:18, 7 August 2014

Thousands of elderly people are being denied vital home alterations that keep them out of hospital and help them stay independent, it emerged yesterday.

Improvements such as handrails, stairlifts and ramps can stop them being hurt in falls – but the number being installed has plummeted by 5,500 since 2011.

Read More

Disabled people in Britain face a hidden housing crisis, charity warns

July 27, 2014   Carers, disability, Featured Article, Older care

Disabled people are experiencing a hidden housing crisis, says a new report suggesting that many are having to wash in their kitchens and sleep in their living rooms because their homes are ill-designed for their needs.

The charity Leonard Cheshire Disability claims that as many as five million people now need a disabled-friendly home, a number set to rise as the population ages. A survey for the charity’s Home Truths campaign finds that almost three-quarters of people with mobility problems do not have an accessible door into their building. More than half say their buildings do not have doors and hallways wide enough for a wheelchair.

Read More