SalfordOnline

The government has been challenged by a coalition of campaign groups to do more to help older people.

Help the Aged, Carers UK and Counsel and Care, the 'Right care jointly published the results of a poll on Friday that found more than half (57 per cent) of respondents feel the social care system for older people is "depressing".

Social care for older people was also described as "confusing" by 51 per cent of respondents.

In addition to the poll a new report has been published designed to draw attention to failures in the care system ahead of party conference season and the government’s launch of a green paper on the issue due to be published early next year.

The report recommends that the care system become more personalised so that individuals be put in a position where they can assess their needs and then choose the relevant support.

It also calls for a fairer, more affordable system, that provides greater support for carers and families.

Director of policy and external relations at Help the Aged Paul Cann said: "The results of this new research show in the starkest terms that the social care system in England clearly does not have the confidence of the people who will come to need it in older age. Ministers must now grasp the nettle and show leadership."

"However, it's not only the government who must engage with this vital issue. The Right care, Right deal campaign is determined to show that social care is not just a distant concept which can be ignored - it is an issue that affects us all. It truly is everybody's business."