Tag Archives: family

Urgent action is needed by government to prevent things getting worse!

Risk of abuse leaves 70% of adults afraid of ending up in care home

  • Inspection finds 1 in 6 nursing homes don’t treat patients with dignity and respect
  • Only 41% of relatives believe loved ones enjoy a good quality of life in care

By Jenny Hope

PUBLISHED: 00:07, 26 February 2013 | UPDATED: 07:36, 26 February 20

 

Fears: Half of those surveyed said their biggest concern if a close relative goes into care is the risk of abuse. (Picture posed by model)Fears: Half of those surveyed said their biggest concern if a close relative goes into care is the risk of abuse. (Picture posed by model)

Seventy per cent of adults fear ending up in a care home amid concerns about poor treatment and abuse, a survey reveals.

It found two thirds believe not enough is being done to tackle the problem, and half say their biggest concern if a close relative goes into care is the risk of abuse.

The Alzheimer’s Society report also shows a record 80 per cent of those living in care homes have dementia or severe memory problems, compared with previous estimates of around 62 per cent.

The report, Low Expectations, reveals the pessimism of relatives and carers about the quality of life in care homes.

It found fewer than half of dementia sufferers in care homes enjoy a good quality of life, with more than a quarter of relatives saying it is ‘poor’.

The report comes after six care workers at the Winterbourne View home near Bristol were sent to prison last year for ‘cruel, callous and degrading’ abuse of disabled residents.

At the same time, inspections by the Care Quality Commission found one in six nursing homes did not treat patients with dignity and respect.

The Alzheimer’s Society report estimates that 322,000 of 400,000 care home residents have dementia or memory problems.

However, it found only 41 per cent of relatives believe their loved ones enjoy a good quality of life in care, and 28 per cent think it is poor.

Despite this, the report found three quarters of relatives would recommend their family member’s home.

Carers get a helping hand for the winter

Winter warmers for Sheffield carers

Wayne Southall, of Amey, with Coun David Barker and Ann Holmes at the Monthly Carers Cafe where they handed out winter driving packs.Wayne Southall, of Amey, with Coun David Barker and Ann Holmes at the Monthly Carers Cafe where they handed out winter driving packs.

Published on Wednesday 20 February 2013 06:00

CARERS are being helped to stay on the road during bad weather with special packs.

Winter driving packs were handed out by Amey, Sheffield Council’s highways contractor, at a meeting of Sheffield Carers’ Forum at the United Reformed Church, Norfolk Street.

Some 300 packs have been donated for carers, including a mug so drivers can take a warm drink with them on their journey, some de-icer, a mini ice scraper, and a tax disc holder featuring winter driving safety tips.

Chris Morris, Amey operations director, said: “We w know how important it is for people who are carers to be able to get out and about.

“I hope these packs will give them a hand.”

http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/winter-warmers-for-sheffield-carers-1-5423740

Home from Hospital new package in Bradford

Carers Resource Home from Hospital scheme expanded across Bradford district

9:00am Monday 18th February 2013 in News  By Claire Lomax, Health Reporter

Kempton Cannon with Home from Hospital project manager Sally Hinds Kempton Cannon with Home from Hospital project manager Sally Hinds

For pensioner Kempton Cannon, returning to his empty house after a spell in hospital was set to be a daunting prospect.

The 90-year-old former painter and decorator was anxious about how he would cope back home living alone.

But now, as a ground-breaking project expands across the Bradford district for the first time, a package of help and support is available to Mr Cannon and hundreds of patients like him.

Home from Hospital is an initiative designed to ease adults of all ages back into everyday life after being discharged from hospital.

It helps with everything from benefits guidance and restarting home care to making sure houses are safe, and that gas, electric and water supplies are in working order.

Patients receive a hamper of food basics and a safety and well-being checklist, plus a friendly face from volunteers involved in the project, which is co-ordinated by award-winning charity, The Carers Resource.

For Mr Cannon, of Addingham, the visits are proving a lifeline.