Dr Ros Altmann of Saga comments, "Finally the government has
admitted that a radical reform of the care system is necessary to address the
need for dignified care. However, without committing to the additional funding,
the government has basically given people the rights to decent care without the
money to exercise those rights. Up and down the country families will still
face losing everything if the level of care they require does not qualify for
NHS or council help. Those who have put savings aside throughout their lives
remain at risk of losing everything, while those with no assets receive free
care.”
Altmann adds, "Will this system stop people from losing their life
savings including their family homes? The answer is no - people will still lose
everything and there is no proper fair partnership between the individual and
the state. Government has failed to reform the unfair means test, which takes
away everything above £23,250, and the money simply is not there to ensure
people don't lose out so unfairly. The suggested universal deferred payment
loans may merely delay people having to sell their homes but does not set a
limit on how much people should spend on care. We also do not know what
interest rate will be charged on these loans."
Long term care news: 25 June 2012
