Keeping older couples together

Sir James Munby, a senior judge, this week criticised the “inhumanity” of care provision in the UK that can see elderly couples separated against their wishes when moving into care homes. 

It is not uncommon for couples that have lived together, often for many decades, to be forced into accommodation that separates them for the last few years of their lives. Sir James called for a “common decency test” to do more to keep couples together.

“We are already asking much of our, some would say, overburdened social housing providers.” 

But where will that responsibility to keep together older couples, who often have complex healthcare requirements, rest?  Will it end on the doorstep of already overburdened social housing providers?

Any individual with half a heart will have some sympathy for the call from Sir James Munby. The desire to maintain the happiness and well-being of both individuals will be at the forefront of decision-making from adult social care providers, social housing providers and, of course, family members themselves. 

Currently, and where a couple can pay for their care themselves, there are a wide range of options available, such as those offered by Anchor Housing. 

As people live longer and with often increasingly different care needs, it is a problem that housing providers will increasingly have to address.  Can they continue to provide effective support for all health and care needs at different levels of demand in the one place? Or, putting aside the more esoteric ‘well-being’ that remaining together gives, do specialist support needs mean that people must move apart? 

We are already asking much of our, some would say, overburdened social housing providers. Already providers are regularly asked to lead in financial planning and support (with direct payment of benefits into one pot), safeguarding (where officers are expected to be alert to issues of child protection and instances of domestic abuse), adult social care (where older residents are increasingly vulnerable or frail) and, indeed, to dealing at the forefront of inter-agency work with abusing and abused residents.

“A good start would be to recognise that a one size fits all approach simply will not work.”

And then there is the cost of funding and resourcing. 

The much-heralded cap on care costs is yet to be formalised, and with local authorities under financial restraints, their ability to assist is under pressure from every angle. 

Political parties of all colours are making grand promises on increasing funds and resources available for social care and the NHS, yet with Brexit looming large, funding and recruiting and retaining good quality staff are likely to remain issues for the foreseeable future.

While keeping couples in their own homes for as long as is physically possible is often the preferred option for couples and their families, that is not always practical or possible. Care needs will change throughout lives, and not all those living longer are living better. 

There is no easy answer to this issue, or to the wider issue of later life housing. A good start would be to recognise that a one size fits all approach simply will not work. A mix of options, of tenure, or prices and of location would not be a bad place to start.

Charlotte Cook, partner, Winckworth Sherwood