What happens when world is hit by financial crunch? The answer is simple but hard to live with. The recent finical meltdown led to soaring prices of daily commodities. The surge in the prices had directly affected the quality of life of the people.

But the elders and young kids have been the worst hit by the financial meltdown. Kids and elders have to rely on others to meet with their daily needs and this is the reason why they are worst hit by financial crunch. Elders residing at care homes are now being asked to pay more for the services which had cost them cheaper earlier.

A survey has revealed that elders residing at care homes of Cheshire East are being asked to pay £20.34 per hour for home care. It means that they have to pay £10,577 every year for the services being provided to them.

The situation is not same everywhere. It has been reported that elders residing at Tower Hamlets, East London are being provided with the same services as that of Cheshire East but of free of cost. However, in past two years, the prices of meals-on-wheels lunches or dinners have witnessed a hike of 13%.

Millions of elders are living below the poverty line and it is hard for them to survive amidst the escalating price of the commodities. Liz Kendall, Shadow Minister for Care and Older People, was reported as saying, “These increases in home care charges for older and disabled people are a stealth tax on the most vulnerable people in society”.

It has further been highlighted by the survey that the number of applicants coming forward for availing free community services has witnessed a decline. Since 2009/10, there has been a 15% decline in the number of elders seeking free care. The reasons behind it have not yet been highlighted.