Bupa’s manifesto for older people
Join the debate on how we care for older people, a debate that’s vital to us all. Over the next 20 years the number of people aged over 85 will double, while the number of over-100s will quadruple. This is your opportunity to shape the services and support that you want for your parents, yourself and ultimately your children.
Bupa’s an expert in looking after older people. We care for over 18,000 older people in the UK around 75% of whom are publicly funded. Our experience tells us what works and what doesn’t. That’s why we fully support the idea of a national debate on how we look after one another when we get older.
This is what we believe…
Bupa’s 10 point manifesto for older people
- Older people should be cared for with dignity and respect.
- Care for older people must be personal, and reflect what individuals need.
- Older people shouldn’t have to worry about being a burden on their families, or how they’re going to pay for their care in old age.
- The nation should recognise the amazing dedication and generosity of family members and care home staff who look after older people.
- There’s too much red tape to cut through when dealing with old age care.
- Local councils can do more to provide advice and support so older people and those who care for them can make informed decisions.
- We should be guaranteed a comfortable level of ‘core care’ in our old age, and prudence during our working lives should not be counted against us.
- We should be encouraged to save or insure ourselves to add to this ‘core care’, as we each see fit.
- Older people should have control over both their ‘core care’ and their additional money - so they can choose what care they buy, and from whom.
- The nation needs to spend hundreds of millions more a year today - and billions more in the future - to look after older people.
Now you’ve read what we believe. What do you think?
Whether or not you have experience of the social care system, click here to share your views on how we should care for older people in the future - and we’ll pass on your comments to the Government.
