Gordon Lishman‚ Director General‚ Age Concern England said:

“This report holds up a mirror to the bleak picture of older people’s social care throughout the UK. The picture is one of neglect where the most vulnerable are left to struggle at home with threadbare dignity and paltry support. 

“Less is spent per head on older people than on any other age group‚ though they are social services’ biggest customers. * 

“The Social Care Green Paper has ambitions to give people more choice and control over care. But the Government needs to take a reality-check if it believes it can deliver adequate care for the ageing population without extra investment.

“More money must be ploughed into training and retaining care staff and providing the basic services that can make or break an older person’s independence. Older people should not have to suffer the misery of shoddy social care.”

Notes to Editors:

*  62% of Social Services customers in 2002‚ were older people. From 2004-2011 the number of older people will rise by an estimated 13%.

Local authorities  pay less for services for older people than for younger adults. For example the cost of residential care for older people averaged £377 in 2004 whilst for other adult groups it varied between £447 and £734.

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