Ageing population puts increasing pressure on councils
England’s ageing population will put huge financial pressure on local councils, reports BBC News.
Social care currently racks up a bill of around 9bn a year, a figure that The Audit Commission expects to double by 2026 if current practises continue.
The warning comes as ministers are considering a revamp of the funding system for social care and are calling for newer and more innovative ways of providing services to the elderly.
In certain areas new schemes that have been introduced include “telecare” which is used to provide electronic links between services and those living in their own homes.
Other examples include counsels fitting exit sensors, fall detectors and flood alerts, in case taps are left running etc. All of the above provide extra care for those who are vulnerable.
Currently the system is means tested, but there are concerns that the arrangements are unfair and result in some people being excluded from services. The government are now preparing to publish detailed plans into how social care should be funded.
Labour have pledged to introduce personal care which is free of charge to those with the ‘highest needs’ as this will enable them to stay at home.