Nearly a third of older people have care needs that are not being met, such as taking medication or getting dressed, according to new research.
The research from Age UK reveals that 870,000 people between 65 and 89 have difficulty carrying out everyday tasks but do not receive any formal help from care workers, family or friends.
The charity also found that between 2005/6 and 2012/13 the number of people over 65 receiving social care services has dropped by more than a quarter, even though this age group has risen by more than one million over the same time period.
Age UK warn that restrictions in social care funding means most local authorities only provide services to those assessed as having ‘ substantial’ or ‘critical’ needs, leaving those with ‘moderate’ needs without any essential help.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK said: ‘It beggars belief that one in three older people who need some basic help with daily living are now having to do without it. And it is important to remember that the figures we analysed for this research only go up to age 89. It makes you wonder how many more thousands of people in their nineties are being left to struggle alone.
'Our national failure to invest properly in social care not only deprives older people of vital support, it also makes no economic sense: for example, an older person who struggles to eat is more likely to become ill and need expensive hospital treatment than if they receive some regular help with their meals: social care helps older people to stay well and keep their independence for longer.’
Age UK are calling on the Government to change its Eligibility Guidance so the inability to do everyday essential task like washing and eating will be enough to qualify someone for support.
