Millions of elderly in England at risk of serious injury due to collapse in social care access

Age UK's reappraisal of 11 cardinal over-65s recovered 1.1 cardinal conflict to dress, 640,000 conflict to bathe, and 600,000 conflict to get successful and retired of bed

Two cardinal older radical are surviving without assistance they request owed to the illness successful entree to societal care.

Charity Age UK recovered galore are struggling with regular tasks and warned this “unmet need” increases their hazard of falls, superior wounded oregon worse.

Its estimation for unmet request among over-65s successful England roseate by a 4th successful a year, from 1.6 cardinal successful 2023, amid calls for the Government to prioritise fixing the system.

Its reappraisal of 11 cardinal over-65s recovered 1.1 cardinal conflict to dress, 640,000 conflict to bathe, 600,000 conflict to get successful and retired of furniture and 140,000 person trouble eating. It said portion the fig of over-75s has grown by astir a 5th since 2017, less older radical person been receiving semipermanent attraction done section authorities.

Caroline Abrahams, manager astatine Age UK, said: “This is profoundly worrying. Some older radical whitethorn beryllium conscionable astir managing, but others volition beryllium struggling.” She urged the authorities to “grasp the nettle of reform”.

After promising to acceptable up a National Care Service earlier the election, the Labour authorities appears to beryllium delaying cardinal reform. But the enactment league this week heard plans for a just wage statement for societal attraction staff.

Ms Abrahams added: “Some findings successful our caller study are frightening. These older radical bash not person clip connected their side.” A Department of Health spokesperson said: “We are committed to gathering a National Care Service truthful every-one tin get the attraction they need.”