A new 'partnership model' that would see the state guarantee half of social care costs, with individuals providing the other half, is the fairest way of ensuring these services receive adequate funding in the future, according to a new report.
The study by think-tank the King's Fund indicates that the cost of the current system of social care is forecast to double in the next 15 years with no associated improvement in outcomes.
Replacing this system with the partnership approach would increase the number of people receiving care services by 50 per cent, it added.
The King's Fund report calls for a focus on developing more personalised services and driving up the quality of care and support, while also urging a long-term approach to reform 'to ensure fairness between the generations'. Changes to social care should also to be delivered via a 'roadmap' between political parties, it said.
"The people who stand to benefit most from our proposals are those on moderate and middle incomes who are heavily penalised by the current system," the King's Fund interim chief executive Dr Ann Dixon commented.
Last month, public spending watchdog the Audit Commission claimed that the development of personalised local government services that allow people to live independently for longer will be crucial in managing the costs of looking after an ageing population.
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