Response to the provision of free personal care in Scotland - 08.01.08

 

IndependentAge supports the provision of free personal care to older people in Scotland, and congratulate the Scottish Executive for implementing the recommendation of the Sutherland Royal Commission on Long Term Care. In an ideal world we believe that free personal care should be a universal entitlement for older people. However, as the population ages and more and more people are in need of care, we recognize that this provision will either require a greater investment of public funds (through taxation or diversion from other sources) or a means by which older people and their families understand and are able to plan for their own contribution. We passionately believe that there needs to be a widespread public debate about who pays for care in future and how that care is provided and we look forward to the Government leading this vital debate in the near future. Currently finding what care services are available and who will pay is a minefield that hits older people and their families when they are most vulnerable – at times of crisis or change.