Wednesday 22 July 2009

Long Term Care - Government's Proposal For Change


road sign elderly people
Originally uploaded by Theo Pronk
The Green Paper on long term care was published last week with details of the Government's proposals for changes to the current funding of long term care costs.

As reported in the Telegraph on the 18th July 2009, these proposals remain just that - proposals. There will be four months consultation and still no parliamentary timetable to turn any recommendations into law.

With a general election looming next year, the Telegraph reported that campaigners for the elderly believe the issue will once more get kicked into the long grass.

The earliest any changes could become law is likely to be 2014 and it is estimated that in the meantime 400,000 will need care within the next 5 years.

It is understood that the Government's proposal concern only health care related support and fail to consider the residential living element.

The proposals still do not solve the fundamental problem and issue namely, if you have assets, particularly a house, you may end up having to use or pay out of your own resources your care costs whereas if you do not have assets, financial assistance will be available from the state.

Andrew Way, Partner at Latimer Hinks Solicitors has produced a fact sheet summarising the proposals and how they impact on people, particularly the elderly.

Proposed Changes to Funding for Long Term Care

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