Dr Ros Altmann
The current system is neither fit for purpose today, nor for the future and we desperately need a new system that can help people plan and prepare for care, instead of being frightened of the financial burdens they may face.
These proposals are just the start of the long overdue reforms that we need and which our ageing population deserves. Right now, people cannot make provision for their future care needs because the they do not know how much they might require and there are no financial products available. Dilnot's vision of a 'shared responsibility' model, which shares risks between the state and the individual, will also allow financial companies to become involved and offer new ways of insuring against future care costs.
At the moment, we are insured on a national basis against life-threatening illnesses via the NHS, and we can insure against losing our home by pooling with other customers of our insurance company, but we cannot insure against the need for vital life-saving social care in old age. Once there is a cap in place on the amount people might have to spend if the worst happens, then insurance companies can become involved, or people can allocate some of their savings and pensions to cover future care needs, thereby removing the worry from themselves and their families as to where the money will come from.
Saga urges the Government to start implementing his recommendations immediately. There is no excuse for delaying in setting up the working groups which he rightly recommends. Three working groups - to look at national assessment criteria, a national advice service and a system of new financial products - can all be established immediately.
The big concern about this report is that people with moderate needs are not covered at all. This could be storing up problems for the future and I feel this report is only the beginning of the solution - not the end.
We need Government to engage NOW. There is no time to delay.
This article was published on July 4, 2011.