Care failure could strip elderly of their dignity and assets

Failure to tackle how care is funded is leaving elderly people in limbo and could strip them of their dignity and their assets, social care experts have warned.

More than 80 council leaders, charity directors, directors of adult services, chief executives and social care experts are warning that Government is failing to adequately plan for the care needed by our rapidly ageing population.

Government has also been unsuccessful in addressing the immediate and growing funding crisis in how we provide care to those who need it now, they say.

The findings are part of a survey, conducted by the Local Government Association in England. Figures show more than four in five experts believe Government plans have failed to move towards a system that provides sufficient funding.

In addition, nearly nine in ten say the proposals don't address the funding needed to meet the demographic pressures facing the country, which the LGA estimates will add a further £2 billion to the annual care bill by 2015. This is in addition to the £1.89 billion reduction in social care budgets councils are already facing.

Council leaders are now warning that continued failure to tackle how care will be funded is leaving older people and their families facing financial uncertainty and at risk of losing their dignity.