Liz Kendall MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Care and Older People, responding to Age UK’s report ‘Care in Crisis 2014’, said:

“Age UK’s devastating report shows the true scale of the care crisis unfolding under this government.

“Fewer elderly people are receiving vital services that help them get up, washed, dressed and fed. Families are struggling to cope with looking after their relatives, and are also seeing their own health suffer. This isn’t good for them, and it’s a false economy as more frail elderly people are ending up in hospital or residential care when they don’t need to.

“The failure to provide decent care and support for elderly people is simply unacceptable in the 21st century in one of the richest countries in the world.

“We need a far bigger and bolder response. Labour’s plans to integrate NHS and social care, and the recommendations of Sir John Oldham’s Commission on Whole Person Care, show the real reforms we need to ensure all elderly people get decent care and support.”