The National Centre for Social Research latest report examines how social care needs relate to emergency hospital admissions among people aged 65 and over in England.
Key findings include:
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Having social care needs strongly predicts emergency hospitalisations.
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Repeated hospitalisations often trigger social care provision.
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Earlier support might have prevented hospitalisations.
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Older adults struggle to access or understand social care.
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Hospital experiences vary, but the strain on emergency care is clear.
The report concludes that timely, accessible and coordinated social care has the potential to play a critical role in preventing emergency hospital use among older adults. While many hospitalisations are likely due to medical conditions, the availability and adequacy of social care can shape whether these conditions escalate into avoidable crises.
