Almost eight out of ten older people who use personal call alarms rely on friends‚ family and commercial paid support to help out with everyday basic care tasks such as shopping‚ cleaning and DIY in order to live independently‚ according to new research from Age Concern and Help the Aged.

According to the charity’s new survey‚ six out of ten respondents feel local councils are not doing enough to help older people stay in their own homes. Over the years‚ home care services have been increasingly restricted and most local councils only provide care to those who meet the highest criteria‚ leaving many older people without the basic care they need to lead independent and dignified lives.

The snapshot survey shows almost six out of ten respondents regularly receive help from friends and family with shopping‚ and more than a quarter receive help with household chores. 

Age Concern and Help the Aged will share the new findings with MPs at a parliamentary event on Wednesday 3 February.  With the general election fast approaching‚ MPs will be urged to ensure care reform is at the heart of their electoral manifestos.  In addition‚ three of the charity’s ‘Big Q’ campaign ambassadors will present their own personal experiences of the care system‚ highlighting some of the flaws that often fail many older people across the country.

Andrew Harrop‚ Director of Policy and Public Affairs for Age Concern and Help the Aged‚ said:

“There’s no doubt that the upcoming general election will be overshadowed by the urgent need to cut the budget deficit‚ but politicians must not lose sight of the care crisis before us. 

“Our research clearly shows older people are struggling to live independently in their own homes because the system is failing to provide them with an adequate level of care. 

“Older people and their families deserve a care system which enshrines dignity and fairness – it’s time for our politicians to deliver this for them.  If politicians ignore the urgent need for long term care reform now‚ it will be an unforgivable betrayal of generations to come.”

The charity estimates an annual increase of £70 million over each of the next five years is needed simply to keep up with the rising costs of caring for an ageing population.