18/04/00

Long Term Care

Elderly Forced to sell homes while Government makes up its mind

Local MP, Edward Davey, commenting on Health Secretary, Alan Milburn's hint to the Royal College of Nursing last week that the Government may introduce free nursing care for all, said:
"It is now three years since the Government promised they would address the issue of long term care for the elderly. Thousands of elderly people have been forced to sell their homes to pay for care. Thousands more will have to do the same whilst the Health Secretary makes up his mind.

"This is just a first step. The elderly require not just nursing care but also basic care such as help with washing themselves, cleaning and getting up in the morning.

"Introducing a three month breathing space between entering care and means testing for living costs would also give people a better chance of not ending up institutionalised and unable to return home."