Cash plans for home improvements
Published on 30 January 2012 02:30 PM
Older people could gain financial assistance to stay in their homes longer under new Government proposals.
The Department of Health is planning an initiative to delay people going into care homes and cutting social care costs across the board.
As part of the scheme, Government-subsidised loans to older people could fund home improvements including the installation of downstairs bathrooms, stairlifts and other improvements to homes that would help people remain in their own home for longer.
Younger people will also be urged to volunteer to spend time with older people living next door, addressing the loneliness that helps push some people towards care homes.
The plans were revealed in the report of a Department of Health working group, viewed by the Daily Telegraph. The work of the advisers on the panel will underpin a White Paper on the social care system, due in April.
Copyright Press Association 2012