Number of elderly receiving free home care falls by 11 per cent "These services are a lifeline for older and disabled people, and crucial to help them stay living independently in their own homes," she said. Home care is means-tested and the survey found eight out of 10 councils only offer care for people with "substantial" or "critical." Richard Humphries, a senior fellow at health and social care charity, The King's Fund, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the fall in people receiving free home care was a result of public spending cuts. "The result is that councils are responding to that cut, some by putting up charges, most by rationing care much more tightly and the net result is overall, that fewer people are actually getting the care that they need," he said. The Alzheimer's Society said the findings were "disgraceful." The charity said: "Many people with dementia and their carers are already struggling to pay for home care and some may not be able to afford the increased prices. Home care services are vital in helping to maintain quality of life for people living with dementia. Paul Burstow, care services minister, said the Government was working towards a "cross party agreement" on social care funding. "In the spending review the government recognised the pressures on the adult social care system, and took the decision to prioritise adult social care by allocating an additional £7.2bn up to 2014/15," he said.