Health & social care is failing older people

27 March 2006

AGE CONCERN’S RESPONSE TO JOINT REPORT BY THE HEALTHCARE COMMISSION, AUDIT COMMISSION AND COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL CARE INSPECTION INTO HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE

Gordon Lishman, Director-General, Age Concern England said:

“It is shocking that so many hospitals and social services departments are still failing to meet the needs of older people - the main users of these services. Sadly, too many older people in need of public services are currently treated as second-class citizens.

“Mental health services for older people are chronically under-funded, leaving many to struggle with no support at all.  At 65, people are often shunted out of specialist services simply because of their age. With no new investment older people and their carers will continue to be denied the help and support that they need.

“Lack of dignity and respect for older patients is still a wide spread problem in hospitals. Standards of basic care are often poor which can put the health of older people at risk. For example, some older people do not get the food they need or the help they need to eat it.

“The Government must make sure that better standards of basic care are a priority in health and social care services and that there is the investment to deliver the services that older people need.”