Home care 'only funded for old people in critical need'

Up to 1,700 elderly Londoners wait three months for an assessment

Up to 165,000 elderly people with care needs in London are not receiving council help and are forced to pay for their home care, a report has warned.

The London Assembly study found three quarters of councils are only able to fund home care services for those with "critical and substantial" needs.

Older people also lack clear advice and information on where to get help.

Mayor Boris Johnson's office said he is keen to improve the availability and quality of care for elderly people.

The report by the Assembly's Health and Public Services Committee focused on in-home help with washing or getting dressed, which enable many people to avoid moving into residential care.

Every year about 1,700 old people wait more than three months for a care home assessment, as councils deal with a growing older population and budget constraints, the report said.

Only councils in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea and Richmond currently provide care for those with moderate needs.

'Unacceptable delays'

Elderly Londoners are most likely to live alone and without family support, the study found.

James Cleverly, chairman of the committee, said elderly Londoners were facing "real challenges".

"Home care services are a vital lifeline for thousands of Londoners, allowing people to retain their health, independence and dignity.

"Many are facing unacceptable delays in being assessed which can lead to deteriorating before they get help.

"Many find their borough's services are restricted to only those with severe needs, or struggle to navigate the myriad of information about what they are entitled to," he said.

The report called on the mayor to set up a pan-London information line for older Londoners and to promote preventative services so that those with lower care needs do not slip through the gap.

Age Concern London has backed the recommendations.

A spokesperson for Mayor Boris Johnson said: "The mayor wants to empower individual Londoners and their communities to improve health and wellbeing and is keen to work with partners to secure improvements in the quality and availability of social care and health services for older Londoners."