The Latest Attack On The Elderly

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It was revealed last week that social care for the over 65s was the latest victim of the Tory-led funding cuts. The report, which was released by the King’s Fund and Nuffield Trust, paints an ever depressing picture of the state of local authority care providers in the UK. The cuts, coupled with an increasingly ageing population, has created a perfect storm, which has left the current system almost at breaking point, with many care homes predicted to go bust as the ripple effect is felt across the market.

With local authority spending on care falling by 25% in the five years leading up to 2015, the report makes it crystal clear that the existing system is neglecting the over 65s and leaving vulnerable people at risk. A reported 4 in 10 people in care homes are now covering the cost themselves, as the current means-tested system is leaving less and less people with support from local authorities. This method has left care providers increasingly concerned, as care is based on house values and business rates, rather than the need of the patient.

This means that the responsibility of caring for the ageing population will increasingly fall on unpaid carers, with family and friends of those with longer term illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia feeling the effects of the cuts harder than most. Even if a small amount of local authority support is provided, the reality of providing full-time care over an extended period of time is extremely difficult to deal with, and carers face a whole host of problems whilst adjusting to their new role.

Problems with Medication

With older patients being prescribed more medication than other age groups, it can be difficult for carers to schedule various medications and manage differing dosages. A pill box may help with capsule medications, but liquid medicine may be a better option for carers given that older patients often have difficulty swallowing.

Emotional Support

The strain of caring for a loved one can have a huge impact on caregivers’ emotional well-being. There are many local support groups and charities that can help offer practical advice, as well as coping mechanisms.

Money Worries

It can particularly stressful for unpaid carers if they have had to reduce their own working hours in order to fulfil their care duties. As well as medical costs, the travel costs associated with caring for an elderly relative can put further strain on already stretched finances. It is important for carers to know about the full range of financial support available to them.

In short, the elderly, who have been contributing towards the system for the longest, must now pay the highest price for the government cuts. But with loved ones also bearing the brunt, it is clear that the worrying outlook for social care for the over 65s has become a universal issue in the UK, with little hope or appetite for improvement on the horizon.