In 2010 the Putting People First Consortium commissioned two studies concerning people who fund their own social care and support. One of these is a quantitative study from IPC which estimates the number and distribution of older people who pay for their own social care in England from registered social care providers.
The study estimates how many registered care home places in England are occupied by self-funders, and how many people pay for personal care at home. It notes the growth of the market for privately funded care, and estimates likely changes over coming years. Future trends in self-funding are considered, based on a series of interviews conducted with umbrella groups representing different elements of the care industry.
Local authority support is analysed, and the report finds that most provide some support to self-funders in the form of advice and information, but few appear to have much information about how many self-funders they have or are in contact with. The examples cited illustrate that there is scope to provide a much broader range of services to help people who pay for their own care.
The report also makes suggestions for further work to cross check the estimates, explore the impact of varying wealth distribution, investigate and analyse the issue of self-funders running out of money, and look at the possible effect of migratory patterns.
For further information please contact Liz Cairncross at IPC
Email: ipc@brookes.ac.uk
Tel: 01865 790312
