Half a million people lose care services since recession, says report

Almost half a million older and disabled people have lost access to care services in the last five years, according to new research by the London School and Economics (LSE).

The research, commissioned by the Care and Support Alliance group of charities, examines how the social care system has changed since 2007.

According to the report, the number of people receiving support from councils, such as getting up, getting dressed and out of the house has fallen by 347,000 since 2008, which adjusting for socio-demographic changes’ is equivalent to 483,000 older and disabled people.

‘This research lifts the lid on the true scale of the social care crisis since the start of the recession,’ said Care and Support Alliance chair, Richard Hawkes.

‘Chronic underfunding has left nearly half a million older and disabled people, who need support to do the basics, like getting up or out of the house, cut out of the care system.’

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