Category Archives: Older care

‘Be Safe’ campaign warns of unregistered health and care workers

November 4, 2013   Carers, dementia, Older care, Social care

‘Be Safe’ campaign warns of unregistered health and care workers

Date of article: 04-Nov-13

Article By: Richard Howard, News Editor

Carers, nursing staff and older people are the target of a new campaign by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), who want to highlight the importance of making sure that a health professional is registered.

The ‘Be Sure’ campaign advises families with loved ones needing care, as well as older people living alone or in care homes, to take the recommended checks to make sure that visiting professionals are registered with the Council.

A short film drama has been released with the campaign launch in order to make people more aware of the potential issues caused by unregistered professions.

HCPC Chair, Anna van der Gaag comments: “There are hundreds of thousands of health and care professionals working in care homes, hospitals or clinics, on the high street and in people’s own homes. The vast majority of these professionals are practising safely and legally.

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The Care Bill: the fight to end 15 minute home visits continues

October 23, 2013   Carers, Older care, Social care, ukcuts

The government has said it “fully agrees” with a shocking report which revealed earlier this month that local authorities are delivering more than 75 per cent of their care visits in just 15 minutes.

By: Information Daily Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 – 14:30 GMT
Leonard Cheshire Disability, a charity campaigning for good quality personal home care visits, revealed through a Freedom Of Information request that older or disabled people were being washed and dressed in just 15 minutes.

The Department of Health (DoH) in a response to the report said it fully agrees that it is unrealistic to think that 15 minutes is enough time to help people who are older or have a disability to do everyday things, “it is not fair” on those who need support and “it is not fair” on care workers.

DoH said, however, that ministers would not be able to support the charity’s campaign, but hoped that the charity will accept the amendments that the House of Lords have agreed in the Care Bill.

The Care Bill, which has been scrutinised by the House of Lords this past month, is aimed at reforming care and support for adults and making provision for safeguarding adults from abuse or neglect. It will outline care standards and the support carers expect to receive.

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Britain’s forgotten million old people

October 18, 2013   Carers, Older care, ukcuts

Hundreds of thousands of older people are left lonely and without any regular social contact, Jeremy Hunt will say, describing it as Britain’s “national shame”.

Critics say that cuts in spending are contributing to poor care.

Critics say that cuts in spending are contributing to poor care.

By , Political Editor

10:00PM BST 17 Oct 2013

Hundreds of thousands of older people are ignored by society, Jeremy Hunt will say on Friday, describing the loneliness of the elderly as Britain’s “national shame”.

A “forgotten million” older people are left lonely and without any regular social contact, the Health Secretary will say, adding that Britain has “utterly failed” to confront the problem.

In a speech to care groups, Mr Hunt will call for a change in social attitudes towards the old and urge younger people to change they way they treat their parents and grandparents.

A lack of concern for the elderly contributes to low standards and mistreatment in care homes, the minister will say, suggesting that as many as 1,000 incidents of abuse and neglect are taking place every week in residential homes.

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