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The rising cost of care for older people is leaving tough choices for the 1960s ‘baby-boomers' and flower power won't help. Chris Smith reports. In an era-defining moment, iconic rock band The Who took to the stage at the Woodstock festival, in upstate New York in 1969, and played My generation. Forty years later and lead singer Roger Daltrey, who belted out ‘Hope I die before I get old' is now approaching what would be the mandatory retirement age of 65. While there is talk of a concert to mark the festival's 40th anniversary, for the ‘baby-boomers', who see it as a key moment in their lives, there are more pressing issues as they face up to joining the ageing population. Resolving the ticking timebomb of how to care for older people – and pay for it – will challenge politicians, those working in the public services, and families. The flower power generation has already become sandwich generation – providing support for their children struggling with housing and career troubles exasperated by the recession, while trying to care for parents now heading towards what doctors describe ‘extreme old age'. ‘Having it all', one of the 1960s mantras, is looking like an impossible dream. This week, a study by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and consultant PricewaterhouseCoopers found most families had yet to wake up to this. Based on a YouGov survey of 1,993 people, it found resistance to greater responsibility for paying and caring for relatives. A high proportion didn't want family to look after them, and less than half understood that social care provision was means-tested. Most (52%) felt they should not be compelled to pay for relatives' care, and almost half (45%) prefer professional staff, not family members, to provide their own care. Only 46% of people were aware that care provision was means-tested. Most people also failed to realise that councils had raised their assessment thresholds to only help those in extreme need. The problem is that any survey of public opinion reveals no-one wants to pay higher taxes, and the banking crisis means public finances will be in crisis for years to come. Worse still, the care legislation is still based on the Poor Laws, which covered Victorian work houses. But the majority (69%) signalled they wanted to know more about the issues involved, and were keen for a wider debate on the future of social care. The report called for the Government to form a panel of experts and carers to kick-start the debate. Carey Oppenheim, co-director of IPPR, says: ‘Future policy changes relating to social care must be shaped by an informed public debate. Our research shows there is confusion about existing provision, and a substantial gap between expectations and realities. The Government urgently needs to address this disconnect before it brings forward policy proposals that seek to fundamentally reform the social contract between the state and its citizens.' Amanda Kelly, lead partner for social care, PricewaterhouseCoopers, says: ‘In our experience, social care is one of society's biggest challenges. ‘The public need and want more information about social care provision and prospects for the future.' The concerns raised by the study are shared by campaigners at Age Concern England and Help the Aged. Their recent survey found seven out of 10 people aged 65 and over (68%) believed politicians saw older people as a low priority. Michelle Mitchell, charity director, says: ‘Despite the economic conditions, the current Government and all political parties must not shy away from addressing the long-term challenges of an ageing society. The public finances are not a bottomless pit, and tough choices will have to be made. Adapting to an ageing society requires changes by businesses, society and individuals, as well as increased public investment.' The reality of the choices for the baby-boomers is summed up, ironically, by of all people, Mr Daltrey. A long-time campaigner for improved services of young people with cancer, he said in a recent interview: ‘The NHS does great things but it has created a psychology where people think that healthiness is, and should be, free. It ain't, mate. We're all paying an arm and a leg in taxes.'

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HEALTH

Baby-boomers come of (old) age

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