Council chiefs have warned that the majority of people are failing to consider how they will pay for care in the future.
A survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) revealed that only 15% of adults are making plans for adult social care costs, while half say they have never thoughts about how they will pay for care when they get older.
The poll also showed that nearly half of English adults (48%) say that they have little to no understanding of what the term ‘social care’ means, while 5% have never heard of the term at all.
Nearly one in three adults also believe social care in free at the point of access, with 47% thinking that social care is provided by the NHS.
Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: 'This polling raises real concerns over how prepared people are for their own care needs, or the care of their loved ones.
'Half of the public polled have little or no understanding of what social care means, whilst only 15% of people are making plans to pay for their care in later life, with those from poorer social backgrounds half as likely to have a plan in place compared to those in wealthier social circumstances.'
The LGA is calling on the Government to lead a national campaign to heighten the profile and reputation of adult social care.
