ElderWeb

The Audit Commission issued a report, "Charging With Care," found wide variations in what people are charged for home help services and in how councils manage charges. It found charging policies in some areas leave some people with less to live on than the income support level appropriate for people of their age. The report also shows how financial arrangements can create incentives for managers to move people into residential homes when they could remain in their own homes.

More than 500,000 people receive home care throughout England and Wales, and 420,000 of them are over 65. These services range from help with shopping and cleaning to personal care services like bathing and dressing. Councils charge users for these services, and the income from charging enables many councils to improve services for the most vulnerable. However, there is no consistency from council to council on charging policy. Charges for similar users in different parts of the country vary from nothing to over £100 per week for the same level of service. About two-thirds of councils exempt those on the lowest incomes from charges, but 30% charge against income support, and some take up to 90% of the attendance allowance, the main disability benefit many older people receive. The Audit Commission also reported that users may be prematurely admitted to residential care because of the perverse financial incentives created by the systems of charges.

The Audit Commission previously issued reports on equipment services and mental health services for older people.