Independence | Age Concern England

Independence - building block 5

Older people have told us that they want to receive care which enables them to stay in their own home for as long as possible.

Currently though this is not the case‚ many older people feel that they are not being supported to live independently. For many older people it is their families and friends who provide the support that enables them to do this. In England there are approximately 4.86 million unpaid family members and friends providing informal care.

This must change‚ older people must be supported to live in their own homes for as long as possible and not have to rely on family members. For those family members and friends who do provide vital support‚ they must be supported.

For older people and their families to have independence:

They shouldn’t be denied the support they need to be independent and participate in their community because I have a low or medium income
If they have severe care needs‚ they should get the support they need to live at home as long as I want to
They shouldn’t be forced to rely on their family or friends to provide care
They shouldn’t be forced to provide care to their relative or friend