The number of people avove 85 has increased by nearly 250000 since 1970 ; and it is estimated that to remain 'static' at 2010 care provision level , at least £9.4 billion is needed annually. Only £7.3 billion was, however, made available for 2010-11 - a shortfall of £ 2 billion !! This obviously , when translated to actual delivery of care, means a lot of suffering and hardship for many. All local authorities are having to cut back services for ALL ; services for older people have aleady been 'stagnating' for a number of years. Closure of Day Centres , reduction in home care , less visiting etc are all being noticed virtually everywhere including in Bolton. With the country's current financial state, austerity measures need to be taken and it is fare that 'everyone' must share this ''pain'' ! That said, unlike the main body of the NHS or Education or Defence , sorting out the apparent 'crisis' in social care shouldn't jeopardise the Govt's spending plans in any significant way - only 0.5 % of the GDP is currently spent on social care - instead of further reduction, this spending ought to increase a little . This won't throw the finacial management off track but would help an already tragic situation enormously. Perhaps some legistaltive action is required to fill the current £500 million spending shortfall. The recommendations of the Dilnot Commission should be implemented to set up a fairly funded care-system for the future.

The forthcoming social care white-paper gives the country an opportunity to provide a good care -system for the most vulnerable . The public opinion is , very much, in favour of some long lasting effective changes. The charity Age UK seeks support of all citizens to influence the outcome of the White Paper