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'Care insurance' planned for old 'Care insurance' planned for old
(19 minutes later)
Older people in England could be asked to take out insurance to pay for long-term care in their old age, it is reported. Older people in England could be asked to take out insurance to pay for long-term care in their old age.
The idea is thought to be one option proposed by ministers in a green paper due on Tuesday on reform of funding of residential and home-based social care.The idea is thought to be one option proposed by ministers in a green paper due on Tuesday on reform of funding of residential and home-based social care.
The current system of means tested social care for elderly and disabled people is widely regarded as unfair.The current system of means tested social care for elderly and disabled people is widely regarded as unfair.
Experts also warn it is unfit for our ageing society. The Tories said ministers had "broken promises" on the issue and vowed to draw up their own long-term care plans.
Ministers admit the current system is struggling to cope with the huge pressures already being put on existing care services. The government admits the current system is struggling to cope with the huge pressures already being put on existing care services.
And experts warn demand for social care is likely to intensify. Experts warn demand for social care is likely to intensify as the population ages.
Already it is estimated that half of women and a third of men over 65 will need long-term care at some point. Protecting assets
And the number of people aged 85 and over is predicted to double over the next 20 years. Under the present English system anyone with a home or savings of £23,500 or more is not given state funding for a care home, or help from social services.
At present, there are four people earning for each one who is retired, but in 40 years that ratio will fall to just two to one. If the government merely plans to publish an options paper, then the problem will be kicked into the long grass once again Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley class="" href="/2/hi/business/8148188.stm">End of retirement age signalled
In Scotland the provision of free personal care has proved popular, but very expensive.
It is thought unlikely that ministers in England will adopt a similar policy.
But they concede that a new system is required to deal with a situation that threatens to create a £6bn black hole in finances over the next 20 years.
Losing their homes
Under the present system anyone with a home or savings of £23,500 or more is not given state funding for a care home, or help from social services.
This means that thousands of pensioners each year have to sell their homes or use their savings to fund their long-term care, which critics say is unfair and unsustainable.This means that thousands of pensioners each year have to sell their homes or use their savings to fund their long-term care, which critics say is unfair and unsustainable.
The new green paper is thought likely to propose the current system is replaced. One option thought to be under consideration in the new green paper is for an insurance-based scheme which would allow people to protect their homes and savings.
One option thought to be under consideration is for an insurance-based scheme which would allow people to protect their homes and savings.
A range of payment options is likely to be set out, including deducting a single payment from the patient's estate after their death, or making several payments in advance during their working life.A range of payment options is likely to be set out, including deducting a single payment from the patient's estate after their death, or making several payments in advance during their working life.
Other possible options could be a co-payment system, where the state pays for the first chunk of care, then the rest is means tested; or a social care tax, working in the same way as national insurance.Other possible options could be a co-payment system, where the state pays for the first chunk of care, then the rest is means tested; or a social care tax, working in the same way as national insurance.
Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the green paper had been much delayed, and was unlikely to provide any firm conclusions. Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said the paper was unlikely to provide any firm conclusions.
"This publication will come after 12 years of broken promises to look at this issue. "This publication will come after 12 years of broken promises to look at this issue," he said.
"If the government merely plan to publish an options paper, then the problem will be kicked into the long grass once again. "If the government merely plans to publish an options paper, then the problem will be kicked into the long grass once again.
"If that happens, then the Conservative Party will bring forward its own proposal for the funding of long-term care."If that happens, then the Conservative Party will bring forward its own proposal for the funding of long-term care.
"Unlike the government, we will set out a clear plan for change for both the providers of social care and the 45,000 people who are forced to sell their homes every year to pay for it.""Unlike the government, we will set out a clear plan for change for both the providers of social care and the 45,000 people who are forced to sell their homes every year to pay for it."
Free in Scotland
Already it is estimated that half of women and a third of men over 65 will need long-term care at some point.
And the number of people aged 85 and over is predicted to double over the next 20 years.
We've got to end this postcode lottery in social care Allan BowmanSocial Care Institute for Excellence
At present, there are four people earning for each one who is retired, but in 40 years that ratio will fall to just two to one.
In Scotland the provision of free personal care has proved popular, but very expensive and it is thought unlikely that ministers in England will adopt a similar policy.
But they concede that a new system is required to deal with a situation that threatens to create a £6bn black hole in finances over the next 20 years.
Allan Bowman, chairman of advisory body the Social Care Institute for Excellence, told the BBC there was wide variation in the cost and quality of care.
"We've got to end this postcode lottery in social care and we've got to find a way of achieving a national approach, that ensures people get the best quality of care at whatever fair price can be achieved," he said.
Have you or your family faced any difficulties paying for long-term care? Have you had to sell your house or use your savings to pay for it? Would you agree to take care insurance? Send us your experiences and comments using the form below:Have you or your family faced any difficulties paying for long-term care? Have you had to sell your house or use your savings to pay for it? Would you agree to take care insurance? Send us your experiences and comments using the form below:
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