A recent UK study, by Deloitte, has revealed that investing in social care prevents disabled people falling into crisis, and as a result, leads to substantial economic benefits to the tax payer.
Every pound spent on preventative and community services generates benefits to people, carers, local and central Government worth an average of at least £1.30.
The study involved five leading UK charities, and looked specifically at services used by disabled people who need a lower level of care.
The benefits are realised by preventing people’s needs from escalating, and relying on more costly public services. A few hours of support and advice a week for everyday activities such as budgeting, and support with financial payments and communication increases the quality of life and ability to engage effectively with society. This reduced dependency on family members and carers can also enable people to return to employment, generating positive economic returns for society.
This study comes in the wake of the social care crisis debate, with the UK government’s Care Bill currently under scrutiny in Parliament. This bill determines who receives care and how it is funded, and continues to make headlines.
A study by the same five charities in January this year, found that more than 100,000 disabled people will be left without access to basic care to help them eat, wash or leave their homes if the government fails to ensure that the social care reform assures that support is provided to all those who need it.
Read more: http://www.scope.org.uk/news/massive-economic-benefits-providing-social-care-disabled-people
