There are two big issues over social care. Politicians talk about a lot about the first , make promises to change and then fail. That is the issue of the elderly using the savings and money from the sale of their home to pay for themslves when they need to go into a care home. The one they ignore is the quality and costs of the public sector provision of health care to most elderly people and care homes for those without savings. Today I will tackle the first of these issues.
My parents from modest beginnings managed to buy their own home and paid off the mortgage by the time they retired. They had some savings. I never thought I had a right to that money. When it became clear both needed to move into a care home I helped them choose a good quality one. It offered communal facilities with decent restaurant/dining room meals and a hotel style lounge, daily activities, trips and entertainments if they wanted any. It also gave them their own flat with a sitting room and a bedroom when they wished to be on their own. I helped them sell their home to assist in covering the substantial bills decent care and facilities generated. The money did last out for the period of their time in the care home.
Many argue I should have had the right to inherit the money they spent on their care in old age. That would only be possible if the state took on responsibility for paying the care home fees of the elderly that do still own their own homes or have savings. That would be a colossal bill for taxpayers and would be unfair between those elderly going into a care home and those still living in their own homes and having to pay their own living costs and accommodation levies. The elderly person going into a care home is not normally going to return to self sufficient living, so if their home is left empty surely it needs to be sold? Homes are best used, and deteriorate if left empty for long periods.
The argument runs that it is not fair if someone who has saved and bought a home has to pay for their care home stay, but someone who has not saved and always rented gets a free care home place. Yet that is our system also for working age. We who work hard and pay tax accept we need to pay so those who are unable to work get their home and living costs paid by the state. Those who own their own home do not get money for that, but if people rent they get the rent paid by the state when in need. Why should it be any different in old age? There are of course big debates today about how many really do need to be state dependent, and how many should be looking for work, which Mr Burnham says he wishes to tackle. The issue with benefits and with access to free care homes is one of access terms and entitlement. It would be far too costly to offer free care homes and free living costs for all.
