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12 June 2008

Adult social care law 'confused and chaotic'

Help the Aged welcome Law Commission's decision to review law concerning adults social care 

Help the Aged has welcomed the Law Commission's decision to undertake a thorough review of the law governing Adult Social Care.

Head of Public Affairs at Help the Aged, Kate Jopling, said:

'Some of the most vulnerable people in our society rely on our care and support system to maintain their quality of life. There are about 1.75 million clients of adult social care services in the UK, and the numbers are rising everyday. Expenditure on these vital services is approaching 20 billion a year.

'But the law surrounding adult social care is at best confused, at worst chaotic and totally impossible for most lawyers even to understand!

'We very much welcome the Law Commission's decision to review this vital area of law. Most people come up against the care regime in a crisis and the system is a nightmare of complexities

'Law reform should sit alongside broader social care reform, which needs to make the whole system more transparent.

'We must ensure the system provides fair and accessible support for all who need it.'

Notes for Editors:

Right care, Right deal’ is the new national campaign launched to build public awareness and support for the need for brave and innovative solutions for the social care system. With the Government indicating that social care is an urgent political priority, and in advance of the expected green paper later in 2008, the campaign combines three of the UK’s largest charities working with and for older people and their families and carers, and will urge the government to renew its vision for the future of social care in England. Visit www.rightcare.org.uk

Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.

Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect. Visit www.helptheaged.org.uk or call 0207 239 1982.