§ Mrs. Renee Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate on the effect on the demand for health care that is being created by the increased numbers of elderly people; and what are his plans for meeting this demand.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:During the three-year period 1982–83 to 1984–85 it is estimated that the demand for hospital and community health services will increase by about 0.6 per cent. a year due almost entirely to the increased numbers of elderly people. A growth in services overall of 1.7 per cent. is planned for 1982–83, with further increases of 0.5 per cent. in 1983–84 and again in 1984–85.
§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research his Department is sponsoring on elderly people in the community.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:The following research projects are in progress:
A community care progremme which is examining different ways of helping frail elderly people to remain in the community.A programme which is examining the needs of individuals who provide support for confused elderly people.A study of the circumstances and needs of elderly people living in rural areas.A study of ways of achieving collaboration between hospital based and community based services in the care of elderly people with psychiatric disorders.A study of the effectiveness of health visitors in the care of elderly people.A survey of people who care for elderly people at home.The Department supports a wider programme of research which also contributes to study of the needs of 308W elderly people; details are given in the annual handbook of research and development published by the Department, copies of which are available in the Library.
The Department has also recently sponsored a seminar on support for elderly people living in the community. A wide range of research funded by the Department and other bodies was discussed by researchers and those working with elderly people.
§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on his Department' s research seminar on elderly people in the community.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:The Department recently sponsored a research seminar on support for elderly people living in the community. The primary purpose was to draw attention to the findings of a wide range of research projects funded by the Department and by other bodies; and to give an opportunity for those involved in providing services for elderly people in the community to discuss these with the researchers.
The conclusions of this seminar, which will include a record of the papers presented, and summaries of the discussion and of current research on elderly people living in the community, are being prepared for publication.
§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that local authorities may not require that elderly people entering care have to pledge their homes as collateral in order to obtain accommodation.
§ Mr. Newton:A local authority may not impose any financial pre-condition on elderly people entering care. It is open to a local authority to allow unpaid charges to accumulate and recover the debt eventually from a resident's estate.