Funding older people's care

Tuesday, 27 July 2010

Dame Joan Bakewell, 77, has recently stepped down from acting as the Government's Voice of Older People.

Now in a Panorama programme, she is to discuss how to fund the care of older people, just as the first set of baby boomers is about to turn 65.

Dame Joan said: "Most older people worry what will happen when they get frail - and we will all get there at some point, so this is an issue for everyone.

Nearly 70% of men and some 85% of women over the age of 65 will be needing care at some time. It is just that some of us are nearer that destination than others."

Last week the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley set up the independent commission on the funding of care which is expected to report within a year. The state has no responsibility to fund daily care such as help with washing and dressing. Frailty in old age is quite different from actual illness where we are entitled to receive free treatment under the National Health Service.

Some older people can afford to retire in comfort and others are confident and optimistic about how they will end their days.

However it is very sad when relatives have to sell their loved ones' property in order that they can afford to pay for their growing care needs in their latter years.

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