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A recent analysis by Age UK has revealed that 28,655 older adults aged 65 and over died in 2022/23 before receiving the social care they were waiting for. This figure equates to an average of 79 deaths daily, 550 weekly, and 2,388 monthly. The charity emphasizes that many of these individuals would have experienced more comfortable final days and their families would have felt better supported had they received the necessary care. These distressing figures are consistent with those from the previous year, indicating a systemic issue within the social care system where long waits are now the norm. Age UK attributes these delays to insufficient public funding, which hampers local authorities' ability to promptly assess older individuals, and a shortage of care workers to meet the demands of a growing elderly population. Age UK’s latest survey on social care highlights the difficulties in accessing necessary care and support. Respondents reported long waits for benefits and care assessments, care packages, discharge support, and home adaptations, significantly impacting them and their families. The upcoming report from Age UK will further elaborate on these findings, including: - 29% (7.5 million) of people worried about accessing local authority services. - 19% (4.9 million) concerned about accessing home care workers or carers. - 19% (4.9 million) worried about accessing dementia services like Memory Clinics. In a related survey, over 17,000 people aged 50 and above shared their experiences, with nearly two-fifths indicating they were paying more to manage their own or a loved one's health. Increased costs for care services, incontinence products, and other health-related expenses have adversely affected their quality of life. Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, stressed the critical role of timely social care, especially during the last weeks and months of life. Delays in receiving care leave families struggling with the burden of care tasks and navigating bureaucratic hurdles during an already challenging time. The high number of deaths among those waiting for care underscores the chronic issues within the social care system. Age UK calls for increased funding and staffing to meet the needs of the elderly population. Recent polling shows a strong public sentiment that the government should do more to support the NHS and social care services. In its blueprint for the General Election, Age UK is urging the next government to stabilize the social care sector, consult on sustainable funding, implement a comprehensive social care reform plan, increase care workers' pay, introduce paid Carer’s Leave, and enhance respite services and support for carers. ### References: 1. NHS Digital, Adult social care activity and finance report, England, 2022-23. 2. Age UK Polling: Kantar Research Express survey, September 2023. 3. Age UK SurveyMonkey survey, September 2023.

Credit: Blackpool Gazette & Vanessa Sims There were more than 1,500 safeguarding concerns raised about vulnerable adults in Blackpool last year, new figures show. Age UK said a shortage in good quality care could have "miserable consequences" for older and disabled people, if it is not addressed by Government. NHS figures show 1,565 concerns of suspected abuse were made about adults with care and support needs in Blackpool in the year to March – a significant increase from 945 the year before. Across England, there were nearly 588,000 safeguarding concerns raised – a 9% increase on the year before. Caroline Abrahams, Age UK charity director, said: "At a time when our social care services are under such acute pressure it is not surprising that the numbers of reported incidents of abuse against older people are on the rise, and that the neglect of those living in their own homes form the largest category. She added older people often wait months for a social care assessment, while home care agencies are stretched in finding staff to provide the support their clients need. "These circumstances are a recipe for older people not to receive all or sometimes any of the care and support they require," she said. We know from our own contacts with older people and their families that this leaves some living in intolerable situations, with risks to their health as well as their wellbeing." Ms Abrahams added the figures are a reminder of why the Government must address the "shortfall of good quality social care" in England, and of the "miserable consequences" for older and disabled people if it is not addressed. If councils believe a vulnerable adult is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect, they must carry out a Section 42 enquiry to determine whether action should be taken. The very elderly – those aged 85 and over – are most likely to be the subject. The data shows there were 565 Section 42 enquiries concluded in Blackpool last year. The council found that the highest proportion of allegations in the area were linked to neglect (31%), while the highest number of incidents took place in the alleged victim's own home (41%). Nationally, most incidents were also likely to happen at home while allegations of neglect were at the centre of most investigations. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Abuse of any kind – especially against vulnerable people in care – is abhorrent and we’re taking measures to protect people including through comprehensive inspections. "Across the country, the police, councils and the NHS are working together to help protect vulnerable adults from abuse or exploitation." If an older person is in immediate danger, the police can be called on 999. People can also call Hourglass on 0808 808 8141, a charity dedicated to ending the abuse of older people or Age UK's advice line on 0800 1696565 to seek advice about concerns.

The Homecare Association is one of several health and social care organisations to call on the government to transform end of life care. The Coalition of Frontline Care for People Nearing the End of Life have published their open letter to the government, calling for them to address how older people are cared for during their final years. Addressed to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay MP, and Social Care Minister, Helen Whately MP, the letter has been signed by the Homecare Association, Care England, the British Geriatrics Society, and others. The Gold Standards Framework (GSF), also a member of the coalition, are calling for enhanced training in EOLC for all frontline generalist staff in health and social care. They stress that the frontline workforce, who provide hands-on care to those in their final years, should be well-equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide proactive, personalised, coordinated, and system-focused care. You can access the full text of the open letter here: www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/coalition-of-frontline-care