Social Care News

Report on elderly home care in England published today

A report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission into care of the elderly at home in England is published today following a 12-month inquiry.

The report, 'Close To Home: Older People and Human Rights in Home Care' follows an investigation into what extent public authorities promote and protect the human rights of older people (aged 65 and over) who need home-based care and support.

Among its conclusions, the report found:

• Many older people receive care at home which respects and enhances their human rights but this is by no means a universal experience
  
• There are areas of real concern in the treatment of some older people and significant shortcomings in the way that care is commissioned by local authorities
  
• There is a legal loophole so that the majority of older people who receive care at home – if they pay for all or part of it themselves or if it is delivered by a private or voluntary sector organisation – are not protected by the Human Rights Act

The authors of the report said: "We hope our report will make a difference to the lives of older people and assist the process of Government's planned reforms to adult social care.

"There are significant risks to the human rights of older people who require or receive home based care and support, yet the duties and responsibilities of those providing, commissioning, funding or regulating the care and support system to protect and promote human rights are far from clear.

"We want older people to continue to enjoy their human rights and freedomes which everyone expects. After all, one day we may need home care ourselves or know someone who does."

For the executive summary of the report see:  http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/homecareFI/home_care_exec_summary_final.pdf

For the full report see: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/homecareFI/home_care_report.pdf