The Liberal Democrats have passed a policy motion to urge the government to accept the recommendations in the Dilnot Report on long term care (LTC).
The report, published in July, recommended a lifetime cap on care fees paid by the individual of between £25,000 and £50,000, and a separate cap of between £7,000 and £10,000 on accommodation and food fees.
Dilnot's commission also recommended a £100,000 asset threshold, under which individuals will not have to pay for their care.
At the Liberal Democrat conference today, party members passed a motion to pressure the government to implement the measures amid fears reform will be shelved.
The party also voted in favour of an amendment to include measures to protect elderly people in LTC from abuse.
Jim Boyd, director of corporate affairs at LTC specialist Partnership, said the industry must keep the pressure on the government to avoid Dilnot's recommendations being "kicked into the long grass".
"We expect a white paper in December, but it may be pushed back into 2012," Boyd said.
"After party conference season, there is very little time before Christmas."
Boyd said the state of the three main parties may also cause a delay to reforms of LTC.
"Labour is onside with this issue, but the party is suffering from a fractured approach," he said.
"The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have used this issue in the past for point-scoring against each other as well."
