When considering care options, whether in one’s own home, residential or nursing care, or care in a sheltered housing setting, it is vital that older people, their families, and carers can access independent, high-quality information and advice. This can be obtained from many charities, including Counsel and Care, which specialise in this subject.

One of the key challenges is for an individual to acknowledge that they need care, and both families and carers need to be sensitive to this.  Once an informal need has been established, the older person is entitled to a care assessment by their local authority.  This assessment will ascertain exactly what level of care is needed, whether that is general health (NHS). Public mental health support or private dental care. Suppose the needs are of a ‘lower level’ that can be provided at home. In that case, it may be difficult for the older person to receive this care from their local authority, as many restrict eligibility for care to those with the highest needs. Many people with lower needs either struggle on alone or rely on unpaid carers to support them.

The current plans to reform the care system and its funding needs to address this situation. For older people with residential care needs, the full range of options needs to be presented again, along with access to appropriate advice and information.  This is even more important for those funding their care, as this group is often left to fend for itself.

Care in the Big Society will reflect some of what is already happening and take some new directions, but what is key is that in order to access care, older people need to be confident that they are making informed decisions every step of the way as they navigate the care maze.

If you would like to know more about the government’s Big Society vision for adult social care click https://ow.ly/3nced