Luton Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council are preparing for significant changes in adult social care.
The Care Act is due to be implemented nationwide from April 2015 and will bring a much increased focus on preventative approaches to help ensure that people are supported to stay in their own homes for longer.
The changes aim to make care and support services clearer and fairer for everybody and make it easier for people to plan ahead.
A new national minimum eligibility criteria will be set for all councils across England to replace the current system, where each council sets their own criteria for who is or isn’t eligible for adult social care.
Carers who look after someone because of ill health, disability or old age will have the right to ask for support to help them in their caring role.
Other changes will see increased support through information, advice and the introduction of a cap on care costs.
The cap is proposed to be £72,000, and is expected to be introduced from April 2016.
For more information visit www.luton.gov.uk/CareAct.
Councillor Mahmood Hussain said: “The Care Act will bring the biggest reforms to adult social care for a number of decades and we are working hard behind the scenes to ensure everything is in place for when it starts being implemented next year.
“While some of the details are still being finalised and consulted on at a national level, we do know the new focus fits well with the Council’s priority of ensuring people stay healthy for longer to prevent and delay the need for care and support services.
“Our services will not only be expanded for current service users, but also so that all Luton residents have access to care services and receive information and advice to make good decisions about their current or future care needs.
“Whether you are a current social care service user, a carer or you are already thinking about your future care needs – it’s important to plan ahead. I encourage people to get in touch or to look at our website to find out more about what the changes may mean for you and your family.”