Herefordshire’s five Age Concern centres are joining a new campaign to highlight concerns about the way the nation treats its elderly and the quality of care they receive later in life.
Called ‘The Big Q’, the campaign calls for the government to carry out a radical reform of the current care system, enabling older people to keep their dignity, their rights and control of the choices they make later in life.
A recent survey showed that nine out of 10 adults aged 75 and over – and seven out of 10 of those between 18-34 – were concerned about their future care needs and quality of care.
Colette Colman, chief executive of Age Concern Leominster and District, said: “The stories we hear from older people suggest that our community is right to be worried about the quality of care older people receive.
“In the most extreme cases we have seen lack of appropriate care not only causes distress and removes independence but it has contributed to rapid decline. The impact is not only on the adults receiving care but on the concerned family, whether they are local or out-of-county.
“Herefordshire is ageing faster than elsewhere and the pull on care services is going to be immense.
“In a rural county, we have unique problems delivering care services at home – the government’s priority,” continued Colette.
“My colleagues in the five Age Concerns in Herefordshire handle thousands of inquiries annually relating to care.
“Last year Age Concerns locally dealt with 19,700 inquiries across all our programmes and we expect the percentage relating to care needs to continue to increase sharply,” she said.
Age Concerns in Hereford, Leominster, Bromyard, Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye will kick-start their campaigns by lobbying local MPs.
Meanwhile, anyone with concerns, with a family case to discuss, with a need for information or anyone would like to show support, is asked to contact their local branch of Age Concern, or call 0800 195 4550.
