Rationing of elderly care puts patients at risk, report finds

A joint report by the King’s Fund and Nuffield Trust has warned that a declining portion of government-funded care for the elderly is leaving a growing number of older people to fend for themselves.

The study cited that the number of over-65s receiving support from local authorities had fallen by 25 per cent in the four years between 2010-2014.

The think-tanks interviewed a number of staff working in the care sector and also those receiving care in addition to analysing existing data during their review.

The report found: the numbers getting help from their council with care had fallen by 26 per cent to 850,000 in the four years to 2014; spending on care by councils had fallen by 25 per cent in real terms in the five years to 2015, to £5.1 billion; additional money from the NHS and increased contributions from individuals had topped this up to £7.2 billion, but that still represented a cut of nine per cent; over 40 per cent of money paid to care homes came from people paying for themselves; and one million people with care needs now receive no formal or informal help - a rise of 10 per cent in a year.

A Department of Health official added: "We understand the social care system is under pressure, and this government is committed to ensuring those in old age throughout the country can get affordable and dignified care."

Ray James, of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, said: "We're now at a tipping point where social care is in jeopardy. Unless the government addresses the chronic underfunding of the sector, there will be worrying consequences."

Caroline Abrahams, of Age UK, said: "Social care is in serious trouble, and this is putting the health and dignity of today's older people at risk.

"Today's reports highlight the need for serious reform to a system that is being starved of the cash and the attention that it deserves."