04/08/2014
Data recently released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that more pensioners in the UK are choosing to stay at their residence instead of going to care homes.
ONS says 291,000 pensioners aged 65 and above are staying in care homes across the UK in 2011. The last time the government conducted a survey was in 2001 when the population of elderly people staying in care homes is at 290,000. UK’s population of pensioners increased by 11% from 2001 to 2011, but the corresponding rise in UK’s care home population is only at 0.3%.
According to the government’s data agency, improving health is the reason behind the falling number of pensioners choosing to stay at care homes. In their survey, ONS found out that UK men are enjoying healthier and longer lifespan than ever before, enabling them to care for their wives at their residence. To support its claims, ONS cites the 4.2 per cent decrease of the number of women pensioners staying at care homes.
The publication of ONS’ recent findings came at a time when the government has been criticised for imposing huge cuts on social care, particularly on adult services. With the steep budget cuts recently, many local councils were forced to close supported care homes. Devon County Council, for instance, closed 20 of its care homes last June 2014 to lessen its social care expenditure by £10.7m.
Malcolm McLean, Senior Consultant of pension specialist Barnett Waddingham LLP, said the public must not be lulled into a false sense of security by ONS’ claims.
The CEO of elderly charity group Independent Age, Jane Morrison, cited the inability of pensioners and their families to afford increasing care expenses as the reason behind the fall in care home population.
Morrison said, “As ONS suggests, it is likely that some families are putting off the decision for a relative to go into a care home because of the cost, particularly as councils are less likely to pay for it as their budgets reduce.”
