Commission calls for radical rethink of care for older people, Alzheimer’s Society comments
A report from the Commission on Improving Urgent Care for Older People published today (28 January 2016) is calling for a fundamental change to the way care for older people is designed and delivered.
Experts, drawn from across the health and care sector, have called for a radical new approach to urgent care for older people. Care must be driven by the needs of individuals rather than rigid institutions and structures.
Together the principles set out a vision for joined up, personalised and proactive care.
'This report is very welcome and echoes our Fix Dementia Care campaign which found people with dementia are being marooned in hospital and aren't receiving the tailored care that is so essential for their recovery.
'Every day, older people are being let down by a health and social care system that does not work for them. We urgently need one system designed around patients, not outdated structures, which is locally driven and committed to person centered care which is vital to meet the needs of an ageing population with multiple long-term conditions.
'If the massive funding gap is not addressed, the NHS and social care face an uncertain future. Gains from well-meaning initiatives towards integration will only be short lived if we fail to put health and social care on a sustainable footing.'
