A LAWYER from Ludlow believes that many elderly people may be paying needlessly for care.

Ludlow and south Shropshire has a higher proportion of older people than the rest of the country.

Experts from Ludlow law firm mfg Solicitors, who specialise in elderly care and Court of Protection matters, say they are concerned by a rise in complaints about local authorities making people pay more than they should.

Now Tracy Ashby, a partner at the firm, says older people and their relatives must ensure they are fully aware of exactly what they should be paying.

Anyone with less than £23,250 in capital is entitled to help with care costs, but Ms Ashby said local authorities will often not have systems in place to remind people of this when they have dropped below the threshold, meaning they miss out on financial support.

“Often we find no-one explains the rules to people who are funding their own care, so they keep paying,” she said.

“In many cases that means they have not claimed their Attendance Allowance of either £55.10 or £82.10 a week – money they are entitled to, but instead they are burning through their life savings needlessly.”

Ms Ashby added that people in nursing care are often entitled to a weekly payment of £112 which they may also not be claiming.

The Local Government Ombudsman revealed complaints about adult social care soared by 19% between August 2014 and July 2015. In many cases it was due to confusing or incorrect information from Local Authorities.