United Kingdom
Help from social services
Key points
- The proportion of elderly households in England receiving home care from social services continues to fall and has now halved since 1994.
- One of the major reasons for this is that available resources are being increasing focussed on those deemed most in need.
- Somewhat fewer older people are helped to live at home in the South (outside London) than elsewhere in England, with the range being 110-120 people per 1,000 population aged 75 and over compared to 170 in the North East.
- On average, English county councils support somewhat fewer older people to live independently at home than urban authorities: 115 people per 1,000 population aged 75 and over compared to 140 in metropolitan authorities and 225 in inner London.
- See the Scotland and Wales indicators for the equivalent figures for Scotland and Wales.
Graph 1: Over time
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Graph 2: By region
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View an interactive map at local authority level (England upper tier authorities only; opens in a new window).
Download a spreadsheet with the local authority statistics
Graph 3: By type of authority
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Why this indicator was originally chosen
The quality and appropriateness of services that older people receive is critical to their well-being and quality of life.
For older people, their homes are often central to their social identity, and the effects of ageing mean that older people spend increasing amounts of time within their homes. Clark et al, The importance of 'low level' preventative services to older people, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 1996. Both the feasibility and the quality of the experience can depend on the support older people get in living at home and these services mean a great deal to older people. Clark et al, The importance of 'low level' preventative services to older people, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 1996. Even for older people supported by their relatives and friends, these services can help the person to remain in the community. Beresford and Turner, It's our welfare, Citizen's Commission on the Future of the Welfare State, 1997, page 82. One older woman interviewed said that, "more should be done before people get really frail. If more money was spent on prevention, people would not begin to feel they could not cope."
Definitions and data sources
The first graph shows the number of households receiving home help/care from their local authority. The data is expressed per 1,000 population aged 75 and over on the grounds that the majority of people receiving home help/care are in this age group. From 1998 onwards, the data is shown separately for those receiving intensive help (more than 10 hours per week or 6 or more visits) but this division is not available for the earlier years.
The data source for the first graph is the Department of Health HH1 returns, with the data obtained via the Community care statistics: home care services for adults publications. The data relates to England. Note that the returns were replaced by alternative data collections in 2009 which are not directly comparable and which are not therefore included in the graph. Also, note that data is collected in a sample week in autumn of the year stated and divided by the estimated population at 30 June in the same year. Finally, note that the data for 1999 and earlier has been adjusted slightly for an estimated level of double counting in the data.
The second graph shows how the proportion of people aged 75 and over being helped to live at home at the end of the financial year (March) varies by region and the third shows how the proportion varies by type of authority. Note that 'being helped to live at home' is a much wider measure than the 'receiving home help/care' in the first graph as it includes professional support, equipment & adaptations, meals-on-wheels, day care, etc.
The data source for the second and third graphs is PS2 statistics from the NHS Information Centre, with the day being obtained via the National Adult Social Care Intelligence Service (NASCIS). The data relates to England. Note that the data is a snapshot of those receiving services at the end of the financial year rather than all those who have received services at some time during the year. Also note that this is the same data as is used in the Government's performance indicator (AO/C32) regarding services for older people. To improve its statistical reliability, the data is the average for the latest three years.
Overall adequacy of the indicator: limited. The underlying data has been collected for a number of years and can be considered reliable. However, 'receiving home help/care' is only one possible measure. Furthermore, comparisons between local authorities have to be qualified by the fact that statistics ought ideally to be measured in relation to need and levels of support from friends and relatives.
External links
See DWP site on Winter Fuel Payments.
Relevant 2007 Public Service Agreements
Overall aim: Tackle poverty and promote greater independence and well-being in later life
Lead department
Department for Work and Pensions.
Official national targets
None.
Other indicators of progress
Employment rate age 50-69: percentage difference between this and overall employment rate.
Pensioner poverty.
Healthy life-expectancy at age 65.
Over 65s satisfied with home and neighbourhood.
Over 65s supported to live independently.
Previous 2004 targets
Improve the quality of life and independence of vulnerable older people by supporting them to live in their own homes where possible by:
- increasing the proportion of older people being supported to live in their own home by 1% annually in 2007 and 2008; and
- increasing by 2008, the proportion of those supported intensively to live at home to 34% of the total of those being supported at home or in residential care.
Relevant government policies
- Better services for vulnerable people initiative
- Community care (delayed discharges) act 2003
- Carers' grant
The numbers
Graph 1
| Year | The number of households receiving help per 1,000 population aged 75 and over | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Intensive | Non-intensive | |
| 1993 | 147 | ||
| 1994 | 156 | ||
| 1995 | 143 | ||
| 1996 | 134 | ||
| 1997 | 129 | ||
| 1998 | 118 | 17 | 102 |
| 1999 | 111 | 19 | 92 |
| 2000 | 108 | 20 | 88 |
| 2001 | 103 | 21 | 82 |
| 2002 | 97 | 22 | 76 |
| 2003 | 96 | 23 | 73 |
| 2004 | 93 | 24 | 69 |
| 2005 | 92 | 25 | 66 |
| 2006 | 88 | 26 | 63 |
| 2007 | 84 | 26 | 58 |
| 2008 | 82 | 26 | 56 |
Graph 2
| Region | Proportion of people aged 75 and over helped to live at home per 1,000 population aged 75 and over |
|---|---|
| East | 116 |
| East Midlands | 129 |
| Inner London | 156 |
| Outer London | 144 |
| North East | 173 |
| North West | 128 |
| South East | 117 |
| South West | 108 |
| West Midlands | 127 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 151 |
Graph 3
| Type of authority | Proportion of people aged 75 and over helped to live at home per 1,000 population aged 75 and over |
|---|---|
| County councils | 114 |
| Unitary authorities | 140 |
| Inner London boroughs | 156 |
| Outer London boroughs | 144 |
| Metropolitan authorities | 141 |