Number of older people in UK struggling without vital support rises sharply

Posted: 30/07/2018

New findings from the charity Age UK highlight that 1.4 million people in the UK over the age of 65 are being deprived of the care and support they need. This constitutes nearly a 20% rise in the last two years. The charity reports that of the 1.4 million older people affected, more than 300,000 need help with three or more essential daily tasks such as getting out of bed, washing and getting dressed. More than 50% of these people do not receive any help at all from paid carers, family members or friends.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK, comments: “If an older person needs social care but can’t get it, this is a surefire recipe for them to become weaker and less well. They are at far greater risk of not eating enough and of falling and hurting themselves because of trying to do more than they really should. And it goes without saying that their lives are likely to be diminished and made more miserable. Is this what we want for our parents and grandparents, husbands and wives, older neighbours and friends in 2018?”

Councillor Izzi Seccombe, chairman of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Community Wellbeing Board, has reviewed Age UK’s findings and warns that this pattern will increase unless a long-term funding plan is implemented within the social care sector. The Social Care Green Paper, which is to be published this autumn, is in fact not likely to provide any new funding for social care for several years.

Rosie Nelson, an associate in the clinical negligence team at Penningtons Manches, who specialises in cases involving elderly care, says: “We frequently see instances where failures in care for older people have led to life-changing injuries. If you or a loved one have been affected by these issues, our experienced clinical negligence team may be able to assist.”

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