April Parrott, Berkhamsted and Tring Manager of Hertfordshire County Council, Adult Care Services and Mark Gleeson, Membership Director of Abbeyfield Society, a nationwide charity providing housing, support and care for older people, will be speaking at a free ‘Living Later Life’ seminar. The seminar, to be held at Kings Langley Community Centre on 7th April 2010, will outline the options available regarding care and accommodation for individuals in their later years, identifying what help is available from government for people as they get older.
The 90 minute presentation has been organised in response to recent figures released by the Department of Health, stating that by 2026 it is expected that there will be an additional 1.7 million people who will require care. In addition to this a national newspaper reported on Thursday, 11th March that the average 65 year old today can expect to need care costing £30,000 – with the burden on women averaging £40,400 and men £22,000.
Organiser Manuela White, one of 7000 Abbeyfield volunteers and an executive committee member, said: “The issue of care in later life will impact on everyone at some point and this presentation will help to de-mystify the care conundrum, by informing and furnishing everyone with the facts they need to make well-informed decisions regarding future housing and care requirements for themselves or their loved ones."
The seminar will address important matters such as what is available in the care sector today, how the care landscape is changing, as well as offering advice and guidance on how to embark on a search for care, prepare for future needs and how to go about financing it. The seminar will be followed by a Q&A session.