Spending on elderly care to more than double by 2050

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published a report stating that spending on long-term elderly care in advanced economies such as Britain is set to double, even triple, by 2050, driven by ageing populations. Governments need to ensure they provide better support for family carers and social care workers: http://www.oecd.org/document/2/0,3746,en_21571361_44315115_47904908_1_1_1_1,00.html

The report addresses the long term workforce implications and points out that many workers in the sector face ‘dead end jobs with a high turnover and low pay and benefits.’ In a significant statement from a pro-market organisation the report states that upgrading the status of the long term care workforce by improving pay and working conditions is the key factor in meeting future demand for elderly care.