A charity is calling for everyone to become involved in the Big care Debate. Counsel and Care, which works to get the best possible support for older people, their families and carers, is making the plea at the beginning of its ElderCare Week.

The awareness week is designed to highlight the complex range of care and support care issues facing older people and their families as well as signposting how they can get the best advice and plan for the future. It will feature a series of events, including the charity’s Annual Graham Lecture. It will be delivered on Thursday by Lord Heseltine. The week will also see a debate on older people in the media, including the announcement of the winners of an Older People in the Media competition.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said: “ElderCare Week aims to contribute to the Government’s current Big Care Debate about the future of care and support in this country. Many of Counsel and Care’s enquirers tell us that until they came across our advice service, they were at a loss as to how to go about arranging care for their loved ones in old age.”

Local groups are also being encouraged to host events this week and to promote these on the charity’s website and through regional media. “ElderCare Week is designed to raise awareness of the challenges that many of us will face when we need care, and to discuss ways in which the care system can be reformed,” Mr. Burke said.