Four in ten waiting too long for social care

A new report from Age Scotland has highlighted how more than four in 10 older people with ‘critical’ or ‘substantial’ needs wait more than six weeks for social care.

The charity found that 43 per cent of older people assessed as needing substantial or critical care in 2018 waited more than the six weeks outlined in national guidelines to get the social care they need.

Waiting for Care: Is Scotland meeting its commitment to older people, published by Age Scotland, details the impact of the delays on people and their families in three case studies, highlighting the wide range of waiting times across local authorities and the lack of accessible information held by them about the reasons for delay.

The research uncovered that more than 6,000 older people waited more than six weeks. This figure will be higher across Scotland as 18 councils were not able to provide the information requested.

The report also outlines six recommendations to local and national government which could help improve the position, including; more regular data recording so councils can spot trends and better respond and plan for increased demand; further efforts to attract and recruit more social care workers; and ensuring that the resources required to fund social care in the future are met.

Brian Sloan, Age Scotland’s chief executive, said: “Far too many older people are waiting far too long to get the social care they desperately need. While many people do receive social care within the timeframe outlined in national guidelines more than four in 10 wait much longer. In one circumstance last year the wait was more than eight months. This is too high and action must be taken to urgently improve the situation for older people in Scotland.

“We conducted this research in order to dig deeper into the stories we receive through our national free helpline for older people. It is a hugely stressful time for family members and the individuals concerned, where a lack of information about time scales or long waits to get the help they need have a significant impact on the life of the older person.

“While free personal and nursing care for the elderly has been a flagship, and revolutionary, policy in Scotland since its introduction in 2002 we need to face up to the challenges of a rapidly ageing population, more people living with dementia and the welcome expansion of this policy to those under the age of 65. This will require more investment in people and services.”