We all had a dream of a long and healthy retirement. But it doesn’t always work out like that, writes Dave Morris.

Care services are under huge pressure and the situation likely to get a lot worse.

Finding the right care is going to become harder – and it is already difficult.

More people need care because they are living longer – in 1948 life expectancy was 66, while today it is 78.

And for the first time there are more people over the age of 65 than there are under the age of 18.

It’s quite obvious that demands on services will increase.

Further evidence was provided in July when 31 scientists and experts signed an open letter calling on the Government to end “years of underfunding” in dementia research.

The amount devoted to studying conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease needs to be tripled or the UK will “pay the price”, said the letter.

And it warned that within a generation, 1.4 million people in the UK will live with dementia, costing the economy £50 billion per year.

According to the latest figures there are 798,700 people across Shropshire and the West Midlands aged 65 and over, with 119,800 over the age of 85.

In 20 years time the figures will have grown to 1,081,500 and 239,600 respectively. Currently the region has 558,421 carers.

Former Shrewsbury woman Teresa Challenor says that many of us face a minefield of mixed emotions in trying to find for parents or a loved one, a suitable nursing home or an EMI (elderly mentally infirm) unit.

She is keen to remind people that they have the right to expect that their loved ones receive the care that is due to them.

If for any reason they are not satisfied, they should not be afraid to raise concerns with the manager of the home – and always put it in writing.

“A paper trail is a must,” says Teresa.

“Make appointments to go and see a selection of nursing/care homes and always ask questions; don’t rely on their last CSCI [Commission for Social Care Inspection] report. Look around for yourself, ask the question: would I like to be here ?”

When her mother died in October 2007, Teresa and her family had to find a home for their father that was trained in the care of dementia patients. They went to the professionals for help in this matter, as it was all new to them.

Her father was placed in a Shrewsbury residential home with staff and management who were supposed to know how to deal with his needs – but this did not happen. He passed away on March 31 last year, but not before the family had moved him to another home.

Teresa says: “For the families that struggle on with their loved ones at home I would suggest that they get in touch with Age Concern. They will let them know what their entitlements are. Extra cash coming in is always welcome.

“Keep in close contact with the mental health nurse that is assigned to you, as well as your social worker.

“Don’t rely on them keeping in touch with you because it just does not happen and, once again, if you’re unhappy with the level of service that they are providing complain. You have the right, and, once again, always do it in writing.”

Teresa adds: “We can no longer afford to ignore the hard facts of the poor care that our loved ones and their families are expected to put up with. And why should we?

“When our children come to the age when they need to go into day care or when they start school, the parents of today look closely at each place and decide which one is good enough based on their performance record.

“Why should it not be the case for our parents and relatives? Why should they not have the best of care in their last years? Are they not just as precious as our children?”

Meanwhile Shropshire people are being urged by the Government to get involved in the Big Care Debate on how to tackle the problem of an over-burdened system with insufficient funding and inequalities.

The Government has a vision for a National Care Service which is fair, simple and affordable.

Everyone in England will be guaranteed:

Prevention services – the right support to stay independent and well for as long as possible and to delay care needs getting worse.

National assessment – care needs will be assessed and paid for in the same way across the country.

Joined-up services – all the services will work together smoothly.

Information and advice – the care system will be easy to understand and navigate.

Personalised care and support – services will be based on personal circumstances and need.

Fair funding – money will be spent wisely and everyone will get some help meeting the high cost of care needs.

Proposals

There are three proposals for funding a National Care Service:

• Partnership. The responsibility for paying for care would be shared between the Government and the person with care needs. The Government provides between a quarter and a third of the cost of care, more for people on a low income. Today’s 65-year-olds will need care costing on average £30,000.

• Insurance. The same as partnership, but the Government could help people to prepare to meet the costs that they would have to pay for themselves, through an insurance-based approach. As well as receiving between a third and a quarter of the cost of care, the Government would make it easier for people to take out insurance to cover care costs. It is estimated that the cost of insurance could be around £20,000-£25,000.

• Comprehensive. Everyone who can afford it would pay into a state insurance scheme, meaning everyone who needs care will receive it free. It is estimated that the cost of being in the system could be between £17,000 and £20,000.

The Big Care Debate will run until November 13. You can get involved or obtain further information by writing to Green Paper Team, Room 149,  Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London SW1A 2NS or by visiting the website   www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk