Charity warns about "fundamental lack" of public understanding of care system

Three in four members of the public (74%) are unsure of the level of care that they, an older friend or a relative are entitled to under the care system for older people, according to research by a national charity.

Surveying more than 1,300 UK adults between the ages of 18 and 90, Counsel and Care also found that:

• 79% felt that not enough is done to tell people about the care options available
• 71% do not think that the government has a clear and consistent policy on care and support of older people
• 64% had not thought about how to fund their own care
• Only 21% agree with the current council financial assessment and the means test for care.

The research also revealed uncertainty over the level of care advice and provision people are entitled to from their council.

Some 42% do not think councils offer a free assessment of an older person’s needs, Counsel and Care said, when all local authorities are obliged to provide such an assessment for anybody who appears to be in need.

The research also revealed that 69% believed their council would help if they had physical difficulties, and – “worryingly”, according to the charity – just over half (53%) said the same would apply for mental health.

Counsel and Care’s chief executive Stephen Burke said: “This research demonstrates that there is a fundamental lack of public understanding and knowledge of the care system. In the long term this could prove to be disastrous, especially when examining issues such as funding.”

Burke said it was vital that the public recognised the importance of planning ahead, both on a practical and financial level, to reduce the stresses and costs involved when accessing are in older age.

He added that universal information, advice and advocacy should be an integral part of the any new care and support system that is proposed by the recently appointed commission on the funding of social care. The commission is expected to report in the summer of 2011.