Long Term Care

Those of us who remember it probably disagree with the sentiments expressed in the old Who song My Generation - we don't hope to "...die before [we] get old". However, our vision of ourselves in old age is likely to be of an independent and fit OAP playing golf, or taking a leisurely swim, enjoying long holidays and dispensing words of wisdom to our grandchildren. Most of us probably know someone who embodies this ideal. But, at the same time, we all know the reality can be very different, and again we probably all have elderly friends or relatives who are not so lucky, and who have had to go into long-term care. The good news is that currently only one in three women and one in five men need nursing or residential care, but even so this year an estimated 56,000 people will need to find a nursing home, either for themselves or for a relative. Indeed, for many younger people, it's investigating care homes for a family member that first triggers a sense of their own vulnerability to growing old. This is no bad thing, as the labyrinthine care and benefits system in the UK - and the various financial options - make long-term care a subject best tackled when you're relatively young and still have all your wits about you.