New Conservatives' pamphlet outlines proposals to cut red tape for care homes
The Conservative Party has released a range of proposals designed to ease the plight of those forced to sell their home in order to pay for long term care (LTC).
The plans, released in a pamphlet, The Care Crisis ' an Assessment of the Crisis in Britain's Care of the Elderly, include promises of special tax breaks and new insurance schemes designed to protect people from crippling LTC costs.
It claims a future Conservative government would save costs on running care homes through cutting unnecessary red tape.
It would also make it easier for people to look after elderly relatives in their own homes, claiming it, 'will look for ways to recognise the sacrifice made by people who provide for long term care needs.'
The pamphlet says: 'It is a scandal people should lose their homes in order to pay for long term care. We are looking at cost-effective ways in which people can protect their assets and homes to a reasonable level.'
Commenting on the initiative, Brian Fisher, long term care marketing manager at AXA Sun Life, said: 'The document appears to say what was proposed when the Conservatives were last in power. That was a partnership scheme that allowed people to ring fence part of their assets ' which would appeal to many people.'
However, he was unsure about the reference to new insurance products: 'There could be variations on existing products, but most already exist in the market and can be adapted to new situations.'
Blaming the present Government for failing to get a grip on the present crisis, Dr Liam Fox, the shadow health secretary, said: 'There are now 60,000 fewer long-term beds than when Labour came to power, and there is no sign of the care home crisis abating.
'Last year saw the largest one-year drop in the number of elderly care places since 1997. I want to transform the situation in which elderly people face a diminishing choice of care into one in which choice is expanding.'
Fisher agreed: 'The situation is not going to improve and something must be done ' even if it is the Government saying it can't afford to help, and so people should make their own arrangements.'
He added: 'The growth in the immediate care market for those who have left it too late is huge, but if people were to plan in advance long term care would be more affordable. Dealing with people in the 50 plus age group is a great opportunity for advisers. It is an important issue for them and many still are not aware they can plan for future care costs.'
