The number of older people who have difficulty with basic tasks such as getting out of bed, washing and dressing but who get no help has now soared to over 1 million (1,004,000) according to shocking new analysis by CSA member, Age UK.

At a time when the size of the older population is growing at an increasing rate, our system for keeping them fit and well at home has become much weaker. Last month ADASS (the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services) chiefs warned that a further £1.1bn will be taken out of social care budgets

All of this is having a knock on effect on the NHS as numbers of unplanned ‘emergency’ hospital admissions have increased from 1,810,531 in 2005/06 to 2,211,228 in 2012/13 amongst those aged 65 and over.

This is further evidence of the deepening crisis in adult social care funding affecting the lives of older people and disabled people and their carers. The Care & Support Alliance is calling on the Government to ensure a long-term sustainable settlement for social care funding in the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Age UK report: http://www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-news/over-a-million-older-people-struggling-to-cope-alone/