Tag Archives: Older care
Can technology help us to support the ageing population?
How we care for our older relatives and neighbours could be the greatest challenge facing society
Alex Smith
Guardian Professional, Wednesday 30 May 2012 08.30 BST
Over the coming decades, older people face a perfect storm. They will reach retirement age when people are living longer than ever, pensions are in crisis and national government and local authorities are facing unprecedented spending cuts. Serious medical conditions, and the socio-economic challenges resulting from ageing, are on the rise – with dementia causing particular distress to many older people and their families, and isolation proving a persistent curse.
This crisis will only deepen over time. Tax revenues continue to diminish and state-led solutions, which for the past 70 years have provided comfort, dignity and care for people in old age, are not going to provide all the answers in future, no matter which political party is in power.
Social care funding gap in England ‘can be plugged’
29 May 2012 Last updated at 00:40
The government said it would be publishing its plans soon.
A review published last year suggested care costs should be capped, but this would cost an extra £1.7bn a year.
The Nuffield Trust analysis believes this sum could be found from within existing public sector spending.
Soaring toll of elderly starving in their homes
The number of people hospitalised because they are malnourished has soared by 50 per cent in five years
PUBLISHED: 00:49, 28 May 2012 | UPDATED: 00:49, 28 May 2012
Ten patients a week end up in hospital, half of them aged over 60.
Critics say the latest figures show care services are failing to ensure pensioners get the help they need. More councils are increasing fees for meals on wheels or denying people access to the service altogether.
