Experts in Stockport Gather to Tackle Care in Later Life Crisis

Experts gathering for the first ever Caring Week at Gorvins Solicitors in Stockport next month state that little of us know what options there are for care in later life.

David Moore from Home Instead Senior Care, one of the principal sponsors of the week said: “the lack of knowledge means making an informed choice is nigh on impossible for many when it comes to planning for care in late life”.

“It is one of those things that, until we are faced with it, we try not to think about.  But we are an ageing population and understanding what the care path might be for an individual or a carer is really important.”

David, as well as senior representatives from Age UK, Signpost, Flag and Stockport Council, will be highlighting options from both private and public sector sources at the Planning for Later Life event on Tuesday 3^rd March in Gorvins town centre offices.

“Care is a crisis purchase at the moment” said David, “organised in haste usually either because the carer themselves does not know which way to turn, or someone is faced with having to be cared for suddenly.”

“What we are simply saying is it does not need to be like that.”

The community event is ideal for those people who are living independently and want to look at options; those people with elderly parents considering support and current carers who are looking for answers to existing issues.

Nearly 1.4 million people aged 65 and over in England and Wales provide unpaid care for a partner, family or others according to the ONS UK Census 2011and we are sure that this number will have increased further over the past 3 years.

Aside from a focus on care options, experts in field will also be on hand to help those caring for people currently living with dementia. According to The Alzheimer’s Society there will be 1 million people living with dementia by 2025.  Carer’s Call to Action and the Ada Care Centre specialise in providing advice on dealing with a dementia diagnosis.

Christine Thornley, Partner and Head of Gorvins’ Wills, Trust and Probate team said:

“We regularly meet with clients looking for direction on care and often ask us what they can expect from the state and what private options are available as they age and need more help.

“We urge people to find out and plan, just as we would encourage them to think about some of our services in advance like appointing attorneys they trust to represent them in later life, setting up trusts or even just making a will” she said.

In a recent poll from The Law Society one in three over 55s said they did not have a will.

Christine again: “Recent studies have indicated that he Treasury collected £53 million from people who died intestate. Planning in this area is not just about peace of mind, there’s a financial consideration too.

“We are delighted to be partnering with some of Stockport’s finest care experts to say to people as later life approaches find out what’s on offer and make an informed choice; don’t leave it until it’s too late.”