Care in Crisis campaign
Published on 01 May 2018 08:00 AM
Heather Osborne, Chief Executive of Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin has written to Shropshire MPs urging them to call for a commission into social care without delay.
The call follows the Government's announcement back in November 2017 to develop a Social Care Green Paper.
Age UK has issued a report which outlines what older people think about adult social care. The report: 'Why call it care when nobody cares' highlights the issues and concerns of older people and their families who have experienced the social care system.
Age UK conducted focus groups across the country, asking older people and their carers about their experiences and how they want to see the social care system improve. Many older people are concerned about the quality of care, the costs of social care to both them and their families, dealing with the complexities of the care system and inadequate help and support for unpaid carers struggling to cope.
The report states that over 1.2 million people aged 65 plus don't receive all the care and support they need with essential daily living activities. This rises to over 1.5 million when taken into account instrumental activities of daily living such as managing medication.
Heather Osborne said: 'We recognise it's a bold and ambitious solution that is needed to tackle the problems with the care system but hope the Green Paper will be a chance to create a sustainable care system, that enables older people to access the care and support they desperately need and to live with the dignity they deserve.'
Heather hopes that MPs will read the latest report issued by Age UK and encourage the Government to follow through on its commitment to a Green Paper consultation.