Elderly prefer domiciliary over residential care

Chris Horlick, managing director of care for the specialist provider, said: “The attitudes of the older generations towards their own needs are changing and they are very keen to maintain their independence as they get older.

“They do not wish to become a burden to their children if they stay at home. It is important that they and their children seek expert advice as to what funding options are available.”

He said that Partnership’s care index, which was launched earlier this year, has also revealed that 57 per cent of respondents said that they would rather rely on domiciliary care services and a further 49 per cent of over 75’s don’t want to have to rely on their children.

The figures come after the publication of a 24-page report, Caps, Opt-ins, Opt-outs: Is England Making Progress in Reforming Care Funding?, from the Strategic Society Centre.

The SCC’s report suggested that changes to care funding would be easier to implement with public support, and proposed potential funding sources, such as changes to inheritance tax, capital gains tax and national insurance contributions for older workers.

Lorreine Kennedy, Hertforshire-based Care Matters, said: “We are working with a lot of local authorities to ensure that anyone needing domiciliary care can get the help that they need.

“Often families end up supplementing the care that the state gives, but if the local authorities understand there are care specialists such as ourselves, who can add real value and take these vulnerable people step by step through the process for ensuring NHS continuing care, as well as helping families and older people financially.”