Until recently, in England, anyone with assets , including their home, of more than £23500, received no financial assistance for their residential care. Reforms going thru the Parliament , as recommended by the Dilnot Commission, should raise this with a cap at £72000 ie more than three times the current level. Needless to say , this is good news and should help a lot of frail and infirm people with no one else to look after them. <>
Modern families are getting increasingly dispersed ; often virtually no one is around to support a frail and vulnerable parent or grandparent. It would be unfair to make a sweeping remark that the 'society is becoming uncaring' , although the overall picture is rapidly reaching close to that. Often residing in own homes , despite the strong wishes of the individual, becomes impossible - the degree of care needed exceeds what can possibly be provided on an intermittent 'visiting' basis. In such situation residential care becomes the only safe option. <>
The cost of private care homes stands on average at around £28000 increasing to about £40000 in more dependant cases.
Many feel that one's hard earned money , savings , property etc should be fully utilised for their care in old age, rather than for the enjoyment of their protege, whilst their care costs are forked up by the taxpayers. <>
On the other hand , many depend on their 'inheritance' which often supplements their costs of living and perhaps their retirement!! A diffficult and complex situation; may be we all should look into our own family resources and avoid private residential care for our elderly. In societies with more meagre standard of living , that is what still happens.
The lesson from all this - CARE IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE AREA OF MEDICINE AND WE SHOULD TRY TO PREVENT THE NEED FOR SUCH CARE.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article