AS the storm of recent news reports shows, it appears that the only certainty older people and their families face when it comes to obtaining and paying for care is that it will be a confusing and daunting experience.
The chaos over who pays for care continues unabated and the real losers are older people and their families who are left feeling vulnerable at the time when they need support most.
The government has admitted that some people have wrongly paid for their care and the NHS has set aside up to £180million to compensate them. The cases that have been identified so far may just be the tip of the iceberg and there may be other people paying for care costs that should in fact be met by the health service.
Older people who are entering or already in care and who are confused about their fees or feel they are paying wrongly need good independent advice. The Help the Aged Care Fees Advice Helpline can help people find their way around the complex system of funding care. Readers can telephone freephone 0500 76 74 76 for further information.
PHILIP SPIERS, Help the Aged Care Fees Advice Service, London.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article