White Paper on Social Care

Like many people we have been waiting for the Government’s White Paper on Social Care for a very long time. The expectation was that it would put into legislation the recommendations by the renowned columnist Andrew Dilnott in 2011. 


As only policitians could they managed to adopt the key principles he recommended without attaching any method of funding change, and indeed, announced they would not until at least the end of next year. There are two problems with that. Firstly the Dilnott report made a considerably larger number of older people aware that they were responsible for the funding of their own care when in need. That awarenees has caused considerable concern. To not address those concerns by providing the comfort or cap on any individuals’ exposure was irresponsible at best. Secondly, and maybe more fundamentally, it has failed to recognise that the review completed so far as to how an ageing population is to be funded fails to recognise that what is currently offered is unacceptable to the new generation of older people.

In other words, much heat has been generated debating how to fund outdated long term care in institutional settings when what people actually want is independence and choice. When will people realise that the people to ask about the best solutions for older people both in terms of service and funding are older people themselves.