Thinking Allowed

The burden of triumph: meeting health and social care needs. Andrew Dilnot, Lancet 15 August 2017. "Life is getting longer.

2017-08-17 16:36:23

The burden of triumph: meeting health and social care needs. Andrew Dilnot, Lancet 15 August 2017.

"Life is getting longer. Death is not defeated, but it takes longer to win than it used to. The increases seen for most people in life expectancy are surely a matter for great rejoicing. References to the burden of ageing seem to have missed the crucial point that living is something that most people at most times want to prolong, and on average people are able to do that for longer than ever before. ...

The uncertainties surrounding the possible cost of social care provision are so great that private insurers do not and will not make such cover available. Therefore, in the absence of state activity, individuals cannot pool their risk, so that although most of them will not face high and extended costs, they are all left facing that possible worst case scenario. This scenario is terrifying for individuals, and very inefficient. If the private sector cannot pool the risk, the case for the state taking that responsibility, at least in part by providing social insurance, is very strong."

Editorial in the Lancet by Andrew Dilnot commenting on the paper in the same issue from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies collaboration titled "Is late-life dependency increasing or not? A comparison of the Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS)" where the authors conclude "On average older men now spend 2·4 years and women 3·0 years with substantial care needs, and most will live in the community. These findings have considerable implications for families of older people who provide the majority of unpaid care, but the findings also provide valuable new information for governments and care providers planning the resources and funding required for the care of their future ageing populations."

Important implications for us all and raises the awareness of the care needs of older people now and in coming years.

Source: www.thelancet.com

care ageing people dilnot longer older needs scenario

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