Elderly People Struggle To Cope With Basic Tasks - Report

Over two million elderly people living independently in England are struggling to cope with basic tasks, such as cooking, dressing or bathing, according to new research.

Almost half a million older carers provide round the clock care to a loved one, however 80% do not receive any council services, according to a report from Independent Age and the Strategic Society Centre.

The Bigger Picture report analyses data on the 65+ population in England from the Census, Department for Work and Pensions, the Health and Social Care Information Centre and the English Longitudinal Study on Ageing (2011-2013).

Simon Bottery, Director of Policy at Independent Age, said: "The Care Act is intended to ensure that older people receive better care and support but this new research highlights alarming gaps even in existing levels of care.

"Councils need to be acting now if the promises of the Care Act are to be fulfilled but national government also has to ensure that there is enough funding to properly implement it. In particular, we need to properly fund preventative services which delay the moment when older people need more intensive care and support."

(CD/JP)