Press Release

Guidance to cut costs of elderly care

Tuesday, August 5 2008

The Local Government Association has today sent out more than one million leaflets to councils, GP surgeries, Citizens Advice centres and charities so people can make sure that they get the best and most affordable care for elderly relatives and loved ones. 

The LGA has worked with 16 other public and voluntary organisations to provide a clear ten point guide to how local people who are looking for care can get the best deal and advice on all aspects of everyday living. The document has also been awarded the Crystal Mark by the Plain English Campaign to make sure that it can be understood by as many people who need help as possible. 

With the combination of rising household costs, particularly for older people, the LGA has produced the leaflets to make sure that cash strapped elderly people can receive the most free or subsidised care they can be eligible for.  The material is aimed at making the money of older people and their relatives stretch further to provide the best care possible at the best price.

Cllr David Rogers, LGA spokesperson on social care, said: "The social care system is in need of long-term reform and there needs to be a radical rethink about how we will pay for the care of an ageing population.

"Until long term reform is undertaken there is the need to make the best out of the current system. Getting care for an elderly relative or loved one can be a tortuous and arduous wade through huge amounts of red tape and bureaucracy. The new guide is aimed at helping people both understand the system and also find the professionals who can point them in the right direction to get the most affordable and best care.

"The complex system for getting care and support is in desperate need of simplification to make sure that people don’t miss out simply because they end up confused and bewildered by the process. The myriad of benefits, form-filling and means testing can seem like a bureaucratic merry go round and leave many feeling that they are fighting the system."