Services for older people are on ‘the brink of collapse’ and must be improved to reassure the public they will be cared for in later life, according to a cross-party inquiry.

The all party parliamentary local government group said social care, health, housing and transport services for pensioners were facing a financial crisis and must be radically reformed to cope with a slowing economy and an ageing population.

The health and social care sectors must work more closely together to ensure services are more flexible, personalised and cost effective.

Supported by think tank the Local Government Information Unit, the group called for a publicity campaign to tackle negative perceptions of ageing.

The lives of older people need to be thought of as ‘our lives’ and not as ‘their problem’, it said.

The government’s own recommendations on care for older people are expected next spring.

Never too late for living, www.lgiu.gov.uk

by Barry McCarthy
barry@newstartmag.co.uk