The BBC is reporting today that some councils in England fear budget pressures will hit care services which help elderly and vulnerable adults live at home.
In the survey, the BBC spoke to 87 councils and 46 said they were concerned about funding for services.
With budgets under increasing pressure as a result of the recent government spending review, councils will have tough decisions to make about the provision of social care services.
Nearly all of the councils questioned by the survey have been investing in intervention services such as ‘reablement’. This is an intensive period of temporary care in the home which aims to help older people regain their independence.
When working with elderly people and their families to plan for the cost of long-term care, we often find a preference to receive care in the home.
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) president Richard Jones explains in the BBC article that adult social care can comprise up to 50% of the controllable budget for councils. With local authority funding from government set to face a 28% reduction, it is going to be very challenging to protect social care services.
Long-term care and the associated funding remains a major challenge for UK society. The current system is needs and means tested, with those who have assets exceeding £23,250 having to pay their own costs.
You can download our free guide to care fees planning here. This free guide was written to explain long term care, how funding for the cost of care fees can be arranged and what that funding might cost.
Photo courtesy of Ed Yourdon.
