Open letter to The Argus concerning Paying for Social Care

Many of us will need social care at some time, especially as we get older or experience illness or a disability (for example, social care in a home, support to continue living in one’s own home, the treatment for long-term conditions like diabetes or mental illness). How will we pay for that care in future? Who will pay for it? The government has estimated that in 20 year’s time there will be an additional 1.7 million people needing support, and there is likely to be a £6billion shortfall in the funding for this care

There are questions here which concern us all:
What should be the balance between family, individual and the government for providing funding for care?
Should Government funding be the same for everyone, or allocated in different ways, dependent on need, ability to pay, local area, or the onset of disability?
What is the role of taxation or some form of social insurance?
How important for the system is national consistency or local flexibility?
What is our individual responsibility for our care needs in later life?
Should anyone be expected to sell their home to pay for care? Are there other, better ways of paying for care?
What should be the balance between targeting resources at those least able to pay and supporting those who plan ahead? Means testing may penalise those who have saved for the future, but without means testing support for those who need it most will be more restricted

Most people underestimate the likelihood that they will need long term care. A third of all men and half of women reaching 65 will need care at some time in the future. Social care does not just happen to someone else. It happens to us

Brighton and Hove Older People’s Council would like to submit a summary of views from local residents to a nationwide consultation ahead of forthcoming government proposals for future funding of social care. If you have any comments, please send them by the end of October

You can either
write to The Older People’s Council, Room 39, Kings House, Grand Avenue, Hove BN32SS
or
email us at olderpeoplescouncil@brighton-hove.gov.uk
or
post your comments on this blog


John Barry
Secretary, Brighton & Hove Older People’s Council