21/07/2010
Elderly Care In Focus As Numbers Grow
As it was revealed that the number of people in the UK over 85 will double within the next 16 years, the first steps towards creating a sustainable care and support system for all adults was unveiled by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.
Attempting to halt any need for elderly people to be forced into selling their homes to fund care in their twilight years, Mr Lansley made clear that it will consider a range of funding ideas including both voluntary insurance and partnership schemes.
In setting out to Parliament the terms of reference for the Commission on the Funding of Care and Support, he said the Commission will be chaired by Andrew Dilnot with two further commissioners, Lord Norman Warner and Dame Jo Williams and it and will report within a year.
The Commission will build on the extensive body of work that has already been done in this area and provide advice on how to implement the best option.
The Health Secretary said: "By 2026, the number of 85-year-olds is projected to double.
"In the next 20 years we estimate that 1.7 million more people will have a potential care need than today.
"We know that one in five 65-year-olds today will need care costing more than £50,000, which could force many to sell family homes.
"The answer is clear - we must develop a funding system for adult care and support that offers choice, is fair, provides value for money and is sustainable for the public finances in the long term.
"I want to build momentum on this reform and expect to see legislation in front of Parliament next year," he said.
The Commission will examine and provide recommendations on the best way to meet care and support costs as a partnership between individuals and the state and how an individual's assets are protected against the cost of care and how public funding for the care and support system can be best used to meet needs.
It will also examine how to deliver the preferred option including implementation timescales and impact on local Government.
Commission Chair Sir Andrew Dilnot said: "How we best look after those who need care and support is one of the most pressing social policy challenges facing our society today.
"There are not going to be any easy answers, and I know difficult decisions will have to be made.
"I am looking forward to examining all the issues, and listening to the ideas of those who have been working on care and support over the past few years.
"This has been a hotly debated topic over recent months. It is now my job to consider the best way forward and offer concrete recommendations to Government."
(BMcC/GK)
Attempting to halt any need for elderly people to be forced into selling their homes to fund care in their twilight years, Mr Lansley made clear that it will consider a range of funding ideas including both voluntary insurance and partnership schemes.
In setting out to Parliament the terms of reference for the Commission on the Funding of Care and Support, he said the Commission will be chaired by Andrew Dilnot with two further commissioners, Lord Norman Warner and Dame Jo Williams and it and will report within a year.
The Commission will build on the extensive body of work that has already been done in this area and provide advice on how to implement the best option.
The Health Secretary said: "By 2026, the number of 85-year-olds is projected to double.
"In the next 20 years we estimate that 1.7 million more people will have a potential care need than today.
"We know that one in five 65-year-olds today will need care costing more than £50,000, which could force many to sell family homes.
"The answer is clear - we must develop a funding system for adult care and support that offers choice, is fair, provides value for money and is sustainable for the public finances in the long term.
"I want to build momentum on this reform and expect to see legislation in front of Parliament next year," he said.
The Commission will examine and provide recommendations on the best way to meet care and support costs as a partnership between individuals and the state and how an individual's assets are protected against the cost of care and how public funding for the care and support system can be best used to meet needs.
It will also examine how to deliver the preferred option including implementation timescales and impact on local Government.
Commission Chair Sir Andrew Dilnot said: "How we best look after those who need care and support is one of the most pressing social policy challenges facing our society today.
"There are not going to be any easy answers, and I know difficult decisions will have to be made.
"I am looking forward to examining all the issues, and listening to the ideas of those who have been working on care and support over the past few years.
"This has been a hotly debated topic over recent months. It is now my job to consider the best way forward and offer concrete recommendations to Government."
(BMcC/GK)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.