The PEA campaign aims to draw the attention of government, parliamentarians, local authorities and the public to the needs of the least well-off older people living in care homes.
In the UK everyone living in a care home who qualifies for financial support from the state towards their fees is entitled to keep an allowance: the PEA (Personal Expenses Allowance). The PEA is administered by local councils and is “intended to enable residents to have money to spend as they wish, for example on stationery, personal toiletries, treats and small presents”.
Residents are also expected to supply their own clothes. Until April 2008 the PEA was £20.45 per week in England and Scotland. In this year’s budget it was increased by a mere 70p.
We believe that the PEA must be raised to £40 to ensure that older people living in care homes can afford to pay for all basic items and social activities necessary for their well-being and social inclusion, such as clothes, toiletries, leisure and recreational activities, hobbies, transport and telephone costs.
While the main target for this campaign is the Government, as the decision-maker in releasing additional funds for Adult Personal Social Services, two of our key messages are aimed at local authorities and Primary Care Trusts. The influence that Age Concerns can have locally is therefore crucial and will have a positive impact on older people where it matters the most.
If you believe that the PEA should be increased then please complete and post one of our campaign postcards – and ask friends and relatives to do the same. Postcards do not need to be stamped and are available free of charge from Age Concern Gloucestershire.
