AGE UK Coventry and Warwickshire has issued a rallying call for Coventrians to sign a letter to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt asking him to use his spring budget to help millions of older people waiting for ‘reliable care and support.’
Analysis from the charity shows 28 per cent of people in England who had asked for a social care assessment had been waiting at least six months to find out what, if any, support they can get.
This has led to 2.6million over 50 year-olds in England being unable to get care, including hundreds of thousands who are stuck on waiting lists for support.
Research also found almost 170,000 hours a week of home care could not be delivered due to a shortage of care workers during the first three months of 2022.
This figure was seven times higher than it was in spring 2021.
And 1.6million over-60s in the UK are already cutting back or stopping their social care, or expect to do so in the coming months, as they cannot afford the cost.
Age UK Coventry and Warwickshire’s chief executive Michael Garrett said: “There are large numbers of people in our area who are struggling to cope without adequate care and support.
“Many are relying on the goodwill of family, loved ones and neighbours. But this isn’t good enough.
“The statistics we have gathered at Age UK illustrate the scale and depth of this ongoing problem.
“It should be no surprise to Ministers that the demand for social care is increasing as our ageing population grows and living through the pandemic has accelerated this trend.
“What matters, is the Government recognises this increasing demand for care from older – and disabled- people and does something about it.”
Mr Hunt will be delivering his spring budget on Wednesday, March 15.
Over 25,000 people have signed a letter calling for Mr Hunt to use the budget to help older people in need of care and support.
Visit ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/campaigning/care-in-crisis/ for more information.
