Middle classes ‘must find £50,000 for care’ as spending on elderly is slashed by 8%
By Tim Shipman

The Daily Mail has highlighted the problems facing many families who pay for their loved ones care. It would seem that ‘Middle England’ faces the most difficult time financially. How do you cope? Do read the article and let us know your views. 

Middle class pensioners should pay between £35,000 and £50,000 for their old age care, a review will recommend this week.
The Government would set this cap and pick up the rest of the tab itself.
Under the proposals by economist Andrew Dilnot, the middle classes will be encouraged to take out insurance to cover their costs.
The review comes as it was revealed yesterday that spending on care for the elderly is to be cut by more than £600million this year.
Councils are slashing costs by 8.4 per cent, sparking fears that pensioners will lose services and see the quality of their care diminish.
At present, anyone with savings or assets above £23,250 – including property – has to pay for their care in full, forcing thousands to sell their homes.
The review will raise that threshold so that more people with modest savings benefit, at a cost to taxpayers of around £3billion a year. Read more:

Events

Dementia Awareness Week: 4th – 8th July 

Gloucester Royal Hospital in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Society are organising a Dementia Awareness Week at the Health Information Room located in the new part/ Atrium of Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. There will be staff from both the hospital and the Alzheimer’s Society to talk to, advice on many aspects of caring for someone with dementia and leaflets about the organisations, including Dementia web Gloucestershire, that provide various forms of help for carers and people with early onset dementia.  The displays will be up for the whole week. To find out times and more information contact: Sari Briner on 08454 22 5732 or email sari.briner@glos.nhs.uk