Revolutionising Adult Social Care: Independence

Goal

Support people to live independently, to enable them to stay at home for longer and reduce reliance on home care

CHALLENGES TO SOLVE

Moving about the home. Limited personal mobility linked to ageing or ill health can increase people’s reliance on home care to stay mobile. Receiving help with their physical support needs is the primary reason for most over 65s receiving long term care.

Bathing and toilet. Difficulties in washing and using the toilet can make it hard to look after a relative, impact people’s dignity, and increase the need for professional support. In the 2021 census 13% of adults over 65 reported that they needed help with maintaining personal hygiene.

Daily chores and tasks. An inability to perform daily household tasks like cooking, cleaning or dressing increases the frequency of support needed from professional or unpaid carers. In the 2021 census 20% of adults over 65+ reported needed help with dressing and 13% with tasks like cooking.

Leaving the house can be difficult because of mobility issues. Or for people experiencing cognitive decline, they have trouble with wayfinding. This can lead them to them becoming inactive and socially isolated.

Overburdened unpaid carers: The more and more complex daily tasks that a person needs support with, the more strain is put on the 5.7 million unpaid carers. This can contribute to carer breakdown and increase reliance on local authority support.