Paying for care of the elderly

The DHSS says a wide range of views is needed from the Manx public to shape future funding for the Island's elderly population.

The government has launched a public consultation, called 'Health and Social Care in the Isle of Man', which addresses the same problem as a United Kingdom green paper released today, namely who should meet the cost of long-term residential care for society's steadily ageing population.

At present, those in need of care are means tested, which leads to savings and assets being used to pay for residential and nursing care.

The chief executive of Age Concern in the Island, Penny Creighton, says it has become a serious concern: