Statement on ECHR Inquiry into care at home

Statement on ECHR's Inquiry into the failure of protecting the rights of older people receiving care at home

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age UK, said:

'Let's not mince words about what the findings show - leaving someone in soiled beds or clothing for a long time or failing to ensure that an older person is able to eat or drink is serious neglect and should be treated as such.

'But more than that, providing personal care for older people should not be about completing tasks in whatever is the quickest or cheapest way. Decent care is about looking after a fellow human being in the way that we would like to be cared for when we are older.

"Despite Government commitments made by both the previous and current Government, basic rights to dignity, respect and autonomy are still being breached.   The biggest threat  to the human rights of older people receiving care at home is from cuts to adult social care budgets and it is very unclear whether tightening eligibility criteria to care will allow local authorities to continue to meet their human rights obligations.

'We all share a responsiblity to ensure that we respect and care for those in the last years of their lives. We need to ensure that the funding, training and systems are in place to ensure that every single older person is allowed to live safely and with dignity. That is why the Dilnot commission must act as a clarion call to Government to create a social care structure that ensures a sustainable and fair provision for this generation of older people and those to come.'

- ENDS -

Notes to editors

Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we").  Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

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