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.
Tag Archives: Older care
Social care revamp: Pressure on to find money
5 July 2011 Last updated at 04:21
Social care revamp: Pressure on to find money
By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News
Social care in England needs to be revamped, an independent review saysThe government is under pressure to consider tax rises and further spending cuts to find the money to pay for the overhaul of social care.
An independent review has recommended individual costs be capped at £35,000 – a move which would cost £1.7bn a year.
Ministers have said they will consider the proposals, but the Treasury is known to have reservations.
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.
