An older people's charity has called for "radical reform" to tackle what it calls a growing care crisis facing the elderly, their families and carers.

Counsel and Care said older people are facing a massive crisis as the care gap widens, with numbers of older people growing but fewer getting the care and support they need.

It is calling for practical action to patch up the "gaping holes" in the current care system.

The charity said many older people and their families are having to sell their homes or use their life savings to pay for the ever-increasing costs of a care home place.

Hundreds of thousands of other older people are unable to get the practical support and care that they need to stay at home, with great pressure placed on families and carers, it added.

Counsel and Care said up-to-date and accurate advice and information about care is difficult to come by for those older people who have to pay for the full cost themselves and many are forced to make a choice of care home based on incomplete information - a decision often made during a time of crisis.

Stephen Burke, chief executive of Counsel and Care, said: "Now is the time for radical reform in order to create a care system that is simpler, fairer, consistent, transparent and flexible - for everyone who needs care and support.

"The forthcoming green paper on care and support must spark wide public debate about what we want the future of care funding to look like and, what our collective rights and responsibilities are in society as a whole to ensure that greater priority is placed on good quality of life in older age.

"However, the debate about the future must not delay the urgent changes we need to see now.

"Practical action must happen, including a review of capital limits and the pitiful personal expenses allowance for care home residents, help with deferred payments, a review of increasing home care charges, and better financial support for carers.

"Such immediate changes could together make a huge positive impact on the lives of older people, their families and carers."

Counsel and Care is a national charity working with older people, their families and carers to get the best care and support. Advice on issues affecting older people and carers can be obtained by calling 0845 300 7585 or emailing advice@counselandcare.org.uk. For more information about Counsel and Care visit www.counselandcare.org.uk.