Family Solicitors

Healthcare consultants Pinders are warning that the Care Act – which comes into force in April – could send the cost of caring for the elderly rocketing and force many older people out of their own homes and into care homes as a result.

Pinders has been at the forefront of the appraisal and valuation of care and education businesses for 30 years – and said the Care Act could quadruple the cost of care at home for local councils.

The Care Act will set standards by which local councils have to provide care to the elderly at home.

However, if costs spiral as predicted it would in many cases be cheaper for local authorities to place the elderly in care homes.

Care at home is already under pressure, with some elderly people receiving visits from their local authority carer lasting only five minutes.

Director of Pinders, Jon Chapman, said that providing high-quality home care for an increasingly elderly population could prove not to be practical or affordable.

Mr Chapman has acted as an adviser to the government, care regulators and local authorities on healthcare issues.

Speaking at the Nursing Homes and Third Age Housing Conference, Mr Chapman said:

“Home care has only been affordable because it is inadequate.”

Many charities for the elderly have criticised the level of care some elderly people have received at home – including “flying visits” from council carers lasting only minutes.

The Express reports that the Care Act may limit home care to high-level or “substantial” needs only – which may turn out to be far more expensive than allowing carers to “pop in” to check on elderly clients in their homes.

Private sector beds in care homes have increased as public sector care home beds have decreased – but private sector care can cost up to £1,000 a week and local authority budgets for care for one person are in the region of £300-£500.

“There is little option – councils will be forced to pay these high fees.” Mr Chapman said.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said, however, that the DoH did not accept Mr Chapman’s view.

“We don’t accept this - we’re working with councils to help people live independently for as long as possible,” she said.
“We’re already seeing fewer older people in care homes.”

Being forced to leave their own home to live in a care home is traumatic for many elderly people, who prefer to live out their days in familiar surroundings, where there are memories and connections to familiar places and family.

Duncan Lewis Family Solicitors

Duncan Lewis family solicitors can advise on a wide range of family law matters, including care of the elderly and vulnerable family members and Court of Protection cases.
Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of Legal Aid family solicitors and can also advise on:

• Child abuse
• Child care proceedings
• Child contact and residence
• Divorce
• Domestic violence
• International marriage
• Judicial separation
• Parent child abduction
• Pre-nuptial agreements
• Wills and trusts.

For expert legal advice on family and child care law, call Duncan Lewis family solicitors on 020 7923 4020.