To those who have yet to grow old and become dependent on carers, the idea of being deprived of food, suffering indignity and neglect and left feeling worthless and wanting to die is beyond comprehension.

But that is what’s happening to hundreds of thousands of older people in our society, according to an Equality and Human Rights Commission report into council-run home care, published this week.

The inquiry found failings in the delivery of care nationwide, with older people suffering physical abuse and neglect, not being given enough support to eat and drink, and carers showing “chronic disregard” for their privacy and dignity.

Highlighting a loophole removing the protection of the Human Rights Act from many people receiving council-funded home care delivered by external providers, the report calls for changes to the law and more effective monitoring of abuse.

Bradford Council has pledged to investigate any concerns older people have about care. Moira Wilson, the Council’s strategic director for adult and community services, said a stringent accreditation process was in place for all home-care providers in the district.

“We work closely with people who use home-care services and the care providers to ensure the quality of support afforded to older people,” she said.

David Rogers, chairman of the Local Government Association’s community wellbeing board, said the inquiry results were symptomatic of an under-funded social care system.

He added: “Councils are facing long-term triple pressures of insufficient funding, growing demand and escalating costs. Reforming adult social care is one of the most important issues this country is facing. Governments can’t keep dodging the question of how to properly fund it.”

This week, the Care Quality Commission announced a programme of home-care inspections. Care services minister Paul Burstow said: “The EHRC’s report exposes the good, bad and ugly sides of care in people’s own homes. This Government won’t tolerate poor care.”

Mandy Sykes’s father received care at his Eccleshill home until his death from cancer, aged 82. While satisfied with the care, Mrs Sykes called for clear guidance on human rights, for councils, older people and their families.

“My dad lived alone, and I was living in Lancashire and couldn’t call in on him regularly, so I put my trust in his carers. As an old man, he was vulnerable and I was leaving him in the care of other people,” she said.

“We didn’t have any complaints, but I know of neglect cases elsewhere in the country. It’s imperative that guidelines are laid out clearly, so there are no ‘grey areas’ when it comes to abuse.”

She added: “It meant the world to my dad to stay at home, but as well as proper care, we needed advice on things like adapting the home to ease mobility. Some families carry out their own home care, and they need to be equipped with clear human rights guidelines and with knowledge about how to administer the right care.”

Neil Edwards’s wife, Jayne, died from cancer in September. He said she was keen to stay at home but suffered stress after being told of a five-week wait to have a stairlift fitted.

After learning of her plight, Steeton-based Acorn Stairlifts installed a bespoke curved stairlift the following day.

Mr Edwards has called for better awareness among healthcare professionals of options available to people wanting to stay at home. “It was my wife’s last wish to get upstairs with dignity and relative ease at home,” he said.

“If we’d known there were other (stairlift) options available we’d have felt empowered to try elsewhere. It was sheer luck that Acorn heard about us.”

Mr Edwards has now donated the stairlift to the Sue Ryder Manorlands hospice in Oxenhope.

Valerie Bone, a Sue Ryder clinical nurse specialist who works with a multi-disciplinary team supporting patients wanting to prolong their care at home, said it is vital that patients and carers are advised on which medications, support services and equipment will make life at home as comfortable as possible.

“Being able to act quickly is important for patients with complex care and support needs,” she said. “Teams of healthcare professionals, from occupational therapists to community nurses, offer patients choice and control in order to meet their personal care needs.

“It’s important that those caring for any patients with mobility problems are aware of the options and know there are people and organisations available to help them move quickly.”