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Long-term care of older people (LTC)This programme aims to identify, encourage and build consensus around the implementation of a sustainable model for meeting the costs of long-term care throughout the UK. |
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Programme summary
This is an ambitious programme which tackles a huge and complex issue facing all post-industrial societies. It is one which has already exercised the minds of many within the research and policy communities, without generating an agreed solution.
However, paying for long-term care is a problem which will not go away. The desired outcome from this programme of activity is:
- to identify, encourage and build consensus around the implementation of a sustainable model for meeting the costs of long-term care throughout the UK.
The JRF's 1996 inquiry suggested that the most rigorous and sustainable model for funding long-term care would be a ring-fenced, compulsory National Care Insurance Scheme. However, a key element of the programme will be to test this model and others in the current political and policy context.
As an outcome it is consistent with the JRF's commitment to identifying and addressing social inequalities. Meeting the costs of older people's care is, in JRF's view, a key component of a caring, wealthy and civilised society.
Caring Choices
In 2007 we entered into a series of influencing activities in partnership with other key stakeholders. Kings Fund, Age Concern and Age Concern form the core group, with support from a range of other experts including older people, carers, commissioners, providers and practitioners. This initiative is called Caring Choices.
The final report is now available:
- The Future of Care Funding: Time for a change (PDF, 929KB)
Further details and debate are available on the Caring Choices website:
Publications from this programme:
Key documents
- Lessons from the funding of long-term care in Scotland (Jan 2006)
- Testing Consumer views on paying for long-term care (April 2006) )
- Facing the cost of long-term care: Towards a sustainable funding system by Donald Hirsch
- Improving the funding system for long-term care by Donald Hirsch - two-page summary (PDF, 57KB)
- Future costs of long-term care for older people by Raphael Wittenberg et al
- Funding long-term care for older people by Carolyn Glendinning et al
- Options for financing private long-term care by Sandy Johnstone
UK policy seminar 23/24 May 2005, Edinburgh
- Summary of the event by Donald Hirsch (PDF, 52KB)
Contact details
Sue Collins
Principal Policy and Public Affairs Manager
sue.collins@jrf.org.uk
Phillipa Fairburn
Research Administrator
Phillipa.Fairburn@jrf.org.uk
Telephone: 01904 615967
