 |
answer text |
<p>In a recent speech to the Local Government Association the Secretary of State for
Health urged the public to take more personal responsibility for looking after older
people. He stressed that the health service, local government, the voluntary sector
as well as individuals themselves need to work together to ensure vulnerable people
such as the elderly continue to live their life in the community.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><p>Through the Care Act 2014, the Department has required local authorities to
have measures in place to identify people in their area who would benefit from universal
services to help reduce, delay or prevent needs for care and support. This includes
needs that may arise from social isolation. The Department has supported a ‘digital
toolkit’ for local commissioners, which was developed by the Campaign to End Loneliness.
Since its launch in July 2012, the toolkit has been supporting commissioners in understanding,
mapping and commissioning for loneliness and social isolation in their communities.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Care Act also provides for greater support for carers to
support family and friends who need help. In the Secretary of State’s speech he committed
the Department to develop a new carers’ strategy that looks at the best of international
practice and examines what more we can do to support existing carers and the new carers
we will need.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department has published its strategic
vision for volunteering, <em>Social action for health and well-being: building co-operative
communities.</em> This sets out how we can support people to give their time, more
often and in ways that fit in with their lives, to bring health and wellbeing benefits
for themselves and others in their communities.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>
</p>
|
|
