Our policy work on social care reform
Social care is rarely out of the news. Plans for reform and the
debate over how social care services such as homecare should be
funded are ongoing across the UK.
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Why is this important?
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Social care can help people with Parkinson's continue with everyday activities
such as work, family life and hobbies. Assistance with
day-to-day living helps people with Parkinson's maintain mobility
and independence.
Local authority social care teams can provide a wide range of
supporting services to people with Parkinson's. These include:
- home help, eg help with shopping or housework
- meals on wheels
- personal care, eg help with dressing or bathing
- aids or adaptations
- residential care
Our
2008 members' survey found that 1 in 5 of those who reported
having personal care needs were not getting the support they
needed. 1 in 10 people thought their home was unsuitable,
due to stairs or steps or because it needed other adaptations.
It is essential that health and social services are delivered in
a joined-up fashion with effective communication between
professionals.
Social care reform news (England)
In July 2010 the Coalition Government announced the
establishment of a Commission on Funding of
Care and Support. Chaired by economist Andrew Dilnot, the
Commission published its recommendations on how to stop people
having to face 'catastrophic' costs for their care, even selling
their own homes to pay for help.
It envisaged that people will have to pay out up to £35,000 for
their care costs and then the state stepping in to help fund the
remainder.
At a similar time the Law Commission also published a welcome
set of recommendations to make the law on adult social care
simpler.
After holding a further consultation, in July 2012 the
Government published its response to these reports in a White
Paper, progress report on funding and draft Care and Support
Bill.
In 2013 the Government also announced that the cap on costs
to older people for social care would be set at £72,000 (in 2016/17
prices when a cap will be introduced). It also introduced its
Care Bill to parliament.
The proposals for a cap on care costs are complicated
and there is some doubt that they will really protect people from
having to sell their homes to pay for care, especially as people in
residential care will still have to pay 'board and lodging'
costs.
However the Care Bill should lead to some improvements to the
current system for people afffected by Parkinson's.
- If someone needs a certain level of care and support (which
will be set out at a national level), they will be legally entitled
to help wherever they live.
- Carers will be treated as equal to the person they provide care
for, by putting them on the same legal footing. This should mean
more carers getting the support they need.
- Better access to information and advice to help people get the
care they need, including people who pay for their care
“self-funders” who often get no such support.
For more information on all the detail of the Bill and what
it means for people affected by Parkinson's, have a look at our
briefing (PDF,
229KB).
As a package of reform, the new legislation may not be in place
until 2015, and the cap on care costs will not be introduced until
2016.
So for the foreseeable future, the current underfunded system of
care will struggle on and people will be faced with huge sums for
their care.
We and other charities are now considering next steps in the
End the care crisis campaign and
Parkinson's UK has provided a response to the draft Care and
Support Bill.
Our 2013 news stories on social care
Care cap won't resolve care gap - 11 February 2013
In the March 2013 Budget the Government announced it would bring
the cap on care costs forward one year from 2017 to 2016.
Our consultation responses
We respond to government and other consultations likely to
affect people with Parkinson's and their carers.
Find out more
To find out more, contact our Policy and Service Improvement
team on campaigns@parkinsons.org.uk
or phone 020 7963 9307.
Find out more about how we are working to end the care crisis and improve support for carers and join in our
campaigns.
You can also read our policy
statements which include our position on how we believe the
care system could change to benefit people affected by
Parkinson's.
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