The Welsh National Assembly has recommended new measures to secure fairer charging structures for l...
The Welsh National Assembly has recommended new measures to secure fairer charging structures for long term care (LTC) in a new report. This includes examination of the costs, benefits and other implications of improving capital limits for means-testing benefits.
The report, When I'm 64....And More, reviews and gives recommendations on a range of issues, including health and care for older people. It also considers the implications of providing free personal care for the elderly.
The report concluded that, as a general principle, people assessed as needing care should have it provided free ' irrespective of the setting or who provides it.
However, it also said securing the funds needed to provide free care would be hard.
'The National Assembly does not receive any funding for the policy under the funding formula arrangements. More generous treatment, relative to England, would have to be supported by the Assembly's budget and compete with other demands for resources. In view of the small number who would benefit, it would be difficult to accord this higher priority than, for example, addressing pressures on Social Services across the board.'
Hilary Carter, spokesperson for the charity Help the Aged, said a commitment to funding was required to make the recommendations a reality: 'We are interested in whether the Welsh Assembly has the money to make these recommendations a reality. We welcome the report, but want the Assembly to commit to the funding of improvements.'