Campaigning for Better Care
Published on 05 April 2023 04:42 PM
We support Age UK, the national charity, who is campaigning to influence government investment and organisational change in our social care system. The national campaign began with ‘Fix Care For Good’, now, with a continuing underfunded care system we are again adding our local voice to the national partner, and our partner network campaign, called ‘We Can’t Wait For Care’.
2.6 million people in England aged over 50 are unable to get care, including hundreds of thousands who are stuck on waiting lists for support or even just waiting to have their needs assessed. Older people are often waiting far too long for the social care they need due to shortfalls of money and staff.
That means millions of people left struggling to go to the toilet, eat, get dressed or wash because they can’t do these things unaided. New analysis by our national partner charity, Age UK, shows that 28,890 older people died in 2021/22, without ever receiving the care and support they were waiting for. This equates to 79 deaths a day, 554 a week, and 2408 a month. This is shocking and abhorrent.
The social care system remains under extreme pressure and if anything the situation seems to be getting worse.
The current state of care
The social care system is under extreme pressure:
- Underfunding – despite new funding announced in 2022, local authorities and care homes do not have the financial resources available to meet rising demand.
- Postcode lottery – despite the 2014 Care Act introducing a national system, local areas are still making different decisions about who gets care leaving many older people without enough, or any, support.
- Unmet need – 2.6 million people aged 50+ aren't receiving the care and support they need.
- Families are at breaking point – cuts in local authority care services have placed increasing pressure on unpaid carers.
You can learn more about older people’s experiences of trying to access care in Age UK’s Report.
National Charity, Age UK article: “The crisis in the NHS is largely a crisis in older people’s preventive care, and if we’re to avoid another catastrophic winter in nine months’ time we need to act now to fix it” warns Age UK
Get Involved
You can help by showing us your support. Add your voice to our campaigns and petitions, fundraise and donate enabling us to continue to represent older people and fight for better public services whilst doing what we can to support those most in need.
Helping you get the care you need
Arranging social care can be a challenge. From knowing where to start, what type of care and support you need and who pays for it, there are lots of questions to ask. But you're not alone — we're here to help you through the process.