Paying for care

Published on 12/02/2013 00:00

The main problem to be 
addressed as my generation enters old age is the vested interest which insists on the expensive but artificial demarcation between medical and social care.

The main problem to be addressed as my generation enters old age is the vested interest which insists on the expensive but artificial demarcation between medical and social care.

Within such structural challenges remain questions of personal responsibility and the moral hazard of rules that appear to support the feckless at the expense of the canny.

However, one aspect of funding that has become a sacred cow and an issue from which politicians of all stripes shy away is the question of enforced house sales.

Yet, property – with its tax reliefs – has disproportionately benefited my generation and such largely unearned capital should be tapped, if necessary, to pay for our social care.

The need for such care is rising exponentially and my age group will simply have to get reconciled to the idea that at least some of its costs will have to be met by ourselves.

(Dr) John Cameron

Howard Place

St Andrews, Fife