Care Support Independence

One month to go before Big Care Debate closes

A new National Care Service will help take the fear out of getting older Health Secretary Andy Burnham pledged as new figures came out showing that ageing is a real worry for most people. 

In a Department of Health survey, 86 per cent of people said they are worried about getting older. 

The survey showed that:

• more than half (54 per cent) worry about losing their mind and memory;
• the same number of people (54 per cent) worry about illness or infirmity;
• 39 per cent worry about being lonely; and
• 38 per cent worry about poverty.

However, 8 per cent of people surveyed hoped they wouldn’t get to an age where they would have to worry about these things.

The Government is currently consulting with the public on the future of care services, following publication of a Green Paper earlier this year. Under the proposals, a National Care Service would be created, making care for older and disabled people simpler, fairer and more affordable for everyone. As part of this the Prime Minister recently announced plans to make home care free for the people with the greatest care needs.

The consultation for the Big Care Debate closes one month from today, on the 13 November.

Andy Burnham said:

“Of course many of us worry about getting ill or not getting about so easily when we get old, that’s only natural. But I don’t want people to worry about how they will be looked after and how that care will be paid for.

“That’s why we’re proposing a National Care Service which will take away some of the fear of getting older. We should all be able to look forward to old age and feel confident that if they need care, the right services will be there for us.

“We’re currently having a big care debate with the public about how to make this National Care Service simple, fair and affordable for all. The debate ends in a month and its essential people have their say.”

Half of all men and two in three women will end up needing care at some point, and if someone has more than £23,000 in savings, they will need to meet all the costs themselves. The costs average £30,000, but for someone with dementia they could be as high as £200,000.

There are three proposals for funding a National Care Service:

• Partnership – the responsibility for paying for care would be shared between the Government and the person who has care needs. The Government provides between a quarter and a third of the cost of care, more for people on a low income. Today’s 65 year olds will need care costing on average £30,000.

• Insurance – the same as partnership but the Government could help people to prepare to meet the costs that they would have to pay for themselves, through an insurance-based approach. As well as receiving between a third and a quarter of the cost of care, the Government would make it easier for people to take out insurance to cover care costs. It is estimated that the cost of insurance could be around £20,000 to £25,000.

• Comprehensive – everyone who can afford it would pay into a state insurance scheme meaning everyone who needs care will receive it free. It is estimated that the cost of being in the system could be between £17,000 and £20,000.

Under the National Care Service, everyone will get at least some care for free. The Government wants to hear people’s views on how we balance what it is fair for everyone to pay, against the need to protect some people from having to pay huge care costs.
Notes to Editors

The Department of Health survey was undertaken by Opinion Matters between 13 and 22 July 2009. 2003 adults in England took part.

The Green Paper, Shaping the Future of Care Together, published on 14 July, set out a vision for a National Care Service. A service which is fair, simple and affordable for all adults. Everyone in England will be guaranteed:

• Prevention services - the right support to stay independent and well for as long as possible and to delay care needs getting worse. 

• National assessment - care needs will be assessed in the same way across the country.

• Joined-up services - all the services will work together smoothly.

• Information and advice – the care system will be easy to understand and navigate.

• Personalised care and support - services will be based on personal circumstances and need.

• Fair funding - money will be spent wisely and everyone will get some help meeting the high cost of care needs.