Older people in London forced to pay for own care

A recent study from the London Assembly has found that 75 per cent of councils are only able to fund home care services for those with "critical and substantial" needs.

A lot of older people often find that there are few places to turn to for help and advice and Mayor Boris Johnson is keen to provide more funding to ensure greater availability and better care for older people, a service which often helps them to avoid going into residential care.

The report said that every year as numbers of older people needing care increase, there is a waiting list of three months for a home assessment.

There are great numbers of elderly Londoners who live alone and they are in desperate need of home care services as they are without family support.

The chairman of the Assembly's Health and Public Services Committee James Cleverly spoke of the real challenges that older Londoners faced. He said: "Home care services are a vital lifeline for thousands of Londoners, allowing people to retain their health, independence and dignity.

"Many are facing unacceptable delays in being assessed which can lead to deteriorating before they get help.

"Many find their borough's services are restricted to only those with severe needs, or struggle to navigate the myriad of information about what they are entitled to."

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