Today’s Queen Speech has delivered some welcome news for crime, children and families.
However, Swain & Co. solicitors are all too aware that what is equally important to what is mentioned in the Queen’s Speech, is what is not mentioned!
Our specialist community care team are disappointed that the care of the elderly has been avoided, yet reform is desperately needed to prevent families losing their homes to pay for care.
Last July the Dilnot Commission set out proposals for long term funding of care which the Government has delayed responding to. This called for there to be a cap on the lifetime contributions towards social care of around £35,000 so families could plan for old age and avoid the ‘catastrophic’ costs of care for conditions such as dementia.
However, there have been arguments over the cost of the Dilnot plans and elderly care has not featured in the White Paper and was omitted from the Queen’s Speech today.
Swain & Co.’s specialist team of community care lawyers are concerned that the government has failed to grasp the pressing nature of this matter. If the government fails to tackle this issue the consequences could be catastrophic for the NHS, local authorities and families.
Swain & Co’s community care lawyers provide practical advice and assistance to vulnerable people, including the elderly and the disabled. We can help with a variety of matters, including:
• Social Services Assessments
• Adaptations to the home
• Residential care
• Non-residential care and support
• NHS care and support
• Benefits and Grants
• Funding of Care
• Disputes and Compensation Claims
• Abuse of the Elderly and Safeguarding
• Care planning
• “Funding of Care”.
• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS)
• Negotiating Best interests decisions and attending Best Interests Meetings,
• Court of Protection applications and challenges;
• Enduring / Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputyship Orders
We can offer advice under Legal Aid or on a private paying basis.
If you need advice or assistance with any of these issues, please call our community care team now on 02380 631111 (Southampton) or 02392 479290 (Havant/Portsmouth).
