The Government has spent less time and less money on elderly and child care or family policy.

December 22, 2011   Carers, Older care

2011: social affairs news in review

While the NHS has been in the spotlight all year, the Government has spent less time and less money on elderly and child care or family policy.

 

Elderly people were once again left waiting for reform to the social care system, while more abuse and neglect was uncovered. Photo: REX

By , Social Affairs Editor

8:00AM GMT 22 Dec 2011

Elderly care

After years of indecision, delay and argument, a comprehensive and workable solution to England’s elderly care crisis was finally delivered in 2011.

The proposal by the Dilnot Commission to cap costs at about £35,000, and to make the means-testing system less unfair on pensioners with some assets, was almost universally welcomed by campaigners and support groups.

However although the Government commissioned the report, ministers still lacked the political will to implement it, at an estimated cost of £1.75billion, and the year ended with the suggestion that the reforms might be delayed until 2025.

Meanwhile an undercover investigation by Panorama and a series of reports by watchdogs showed that elderly and disabled people are being abused and neglected by carers in their own homes, in hospital and in nursing homes.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/8967820/2011-social-affairs-news-in-review.html

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