'It is too expensive!' Pensioners face ANOTHER blow as elderly struggle to access social care - 'Bad news for the NHS'

Caroline Abrahams, director at Age UK, explained why so many are struggling to GB News: "There are lots of older people who don't have anyone like that, and so they're very much stuck on their own.

"They might be in a couple, so each person might be helping the other, or they might be living alone, which of course is very typical in our society among many older people and particularly older widows."

She added that life becomes "really tough" for those struggling with basic daily tasks.

Age UK's analysis revealed stark statistics about the difficulties faced by over-65s in England. Of the approximately 11 million people in this age group, around 10 per cent have difficulty dressing, and six per cent struggle to get in and out of bed.

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Ms Abrahams emphasised the severity of the situation, stating: "Some findings in our new report are frightening. These older people do not have time on their side."

Caroline Abrahams highlighted the financial burden of social care and said: "If you need a visit from a care worker, say two or three times a day, you're looking at hundreds and hundreds of pounds and many thousands of pounds a year and a long people just haven't got it."

She explained that many people on ordinary incomes are left to fund their own care, which is often unaffordable. As a result, elderly individuals try to manage independently, which can lead to risks.

"So it's all a recipe for people struggling, possibly falling when they didn't, they wouldn't otherwise have done, not taking their medicines. Not good news for them, not good news for the NHS either," Abrahams warned.

The Department of Health and Social Care has responded to the concerns raised by Age UK. A spokesperson stated: "We are committed to building a National Care Service, underpinned by national standards and delivered locally, to ensure that everyone can get the care they need."

The government also plans to develop a 10-year health plan centred on three core shifts: from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention.

This comes after Lord Darzi's recent report described the state of social care as "dire" and noted the "profound human cost and economic consequences" of a long under-resourced area of healthcare.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has emphasised that it is not possible "to build an NHS for the future if we don't fix social care as we do it".

Age UK has urged the government to "grasp the nettle of social care reform firmly and quickly". The charity warns that the current situation is unsustainable and poses significant risks to older people's health and well-being.

Ms Abrahams questioned whether the government's community-based health and care approach could be achieved without comprehensive social care reform.

The Labour Party has proposed a 10-year plan to build a National Care Service. However, there are concerns about potential delays in implementing fundamental reforms.

Age UK emphasises that immediate action is crucial. The charity fears that without prompt intervention, many elderly individuals will face increased hospital admissions due to declining health and higher risks of malnutrition and falls.