New research shows that over a quarter of older people who are legally entitled to free residential care – funded by their local authority – are now having to turn to friends and families to find top-up money to stay in a care home.

Take the case of Rosemary, 68, and her husband Martin, 73. Martin was a vicar for 40 years but more recently he has had two severe strokes which have left him paralysed. There was only a choice of two care homes locally.