Big rise in cost of Free Personal Care

New figures from the Scottish Government have revealed that the cost of providing free personal care to people in their own homes has risen by 150% in seven years. 

Helping people with personal care such as washing and dressing cost £342m in 2010-11, up from £133m in 2003-04.  About 77,000 people now receive help in their own homes and in care homes

The Scottish Government attributed the rise to the increasing proportion of older people that are being cared for at home rather than in hospital or care homes.

Age Scotland Communication and Campaigns Manager Lindsay Scott said: "It is hugely encouraging to see the increase in the number of people receiving free personal and nursing care at home in the decade since the policy became law.

"Free Personal and Nursing Care (FPNC) has a proven track record in delaying and actually avoiding the need for older people to be admitted to hospitals and care homes, helping support them to live where they want to be, in their communities.

"As our ageing population increases, so has the cost of FPNC, but it should be noted that the average cost of FPNC per individual is around £5000 a year,  compared with the £25,000 plus to look after someone in care home.

"FPNC is a key pillar of preventative spending, and the priority for the Government should not be to cut a core service that is demonstrating real impact in improving the lives of older people, but to take action to mitigate the increasing costs of delayed discharge and unexpected admissions to hospital, which cost the state around £1.5bn every year."