Care Proposals Welcomed (South East Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats)

South East Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats <info@secambslibdems.org.uk>

Care Proposals Welcomed

March 9, 2009 4:50 PM

The publication, by the Rowntree Foundation, of a Report that means testing is unfair, unclear and unsustainable for those elderly citizens who have to go into long-term care has been welcomed by local Liberal Democrats. The Report also outlines proposals for helping those who have to go into long term residential care.

These include the setting up of a state funded equity release scheme which would see care bills being paid - whilst retaining their home until after they die, raising the savings threshold from £22250 as of now, rising to £42500 as well as an improved personal expenses allowance.

We still await, after an 18 month delay, the long awaited green paper promised by the Government, which has talked it up but delayed its release.

County Councillor Geoff Heathcock Lib Dem spokes for Health and Adult Social Care said, "This is an excellent report from a well regarded think-tank and should be listened to by the Government."

"Far too many elderly citizens lose their homes. Homes they have worked all their lives to buy. Families have to worry how they will pay care bills and far too many elderly have the indignity of existing on meager amounts allowed as a personal allowance - this at a time when the Government is throwing billions at the banking system"

"We should be demonstrating real care and support for our older citizens - they have earned it!"