Care Home Fees

 

The average weekly cost of a place in a residential home in England was around £587, and a place in a nursing home cost around £790

Care home costs vary widely across the UK depending on where your relative lives and what type of care he or she requires. The fee your relative must pay also depends on whether their room is a single or shared, and even what your relative's needs are.

For example, a care home is quite likely to add to their average fee for someone who has dementia. As you might expect, the highest fee rates are in the south east of England and the lowest are in Northern Ireland and north east England

Residential care home fees are consistently lower to match the lower level of care that is given. In 2014-15, the UK average weekly fee for a care home that provides personal care was £587.

Here we show the average fees by region for privately and publicly-funded rooms combined, as researched by KnightFrank for their 2015 Care homes trading performance review.

Are Care Home Closure’s the Answer?

Are Care Home Closure’s the Answer?

Considering the BBC’s Panorama Programme which aired Monday, 21 November 2016 several articles have widely reported poor care standards within our Nursing and Residential Care Homes.

With Care Home’s across the UK closing at a rate of at least 1 per week leaving over 5,000 vulnerable people at risk, elderly people are being forced to live in large “factory-style” care homes. 

But is this the answer?

Andrea Sutcliffe, chief inspector of adult social care at the CQC, said: "One of the fundamental reasons is that we are seeing that homes are having difficulty recruiting and retaining nurses. 

Volunteering

Dementia and Wandering

Among people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, wandering is one of the most common and dangerous behaviours.  Six in every 10 dementia patient wander at some point, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, either while walking or while driving a car.  In the UK, police can issue a public Alert when a senior with dementia is reported missing.

One city in Japan, meanwhile, is taking an approach designed to prevent the need for Silver-Alert style news bulletins and searches. The Tokyo exurb of Matsudo trains volunteers to spot red flags for wandering, talk to suspected wanderers in a calming way, and summon help to return them safely home. As NPR reported, the so-called Orange Patrol was created in response to rising numbers of Japanese Seniors with Dementia Wandering, sometimes to be found only after days of searching, found dead, or never found at all.

Alzheimers

The ABC and D’s of Dignity in Care

There are a set of guides for putting the principle of Dignity in Care into action.  The framework was developed for those who have contact with patients and service users, and who therefor have the opportunity to support the dignity of people who seek help from the health care system.

The Guidelines are called the ABC and D’s and they examine how attitudes may affect actions, and how people can take conscious steps to adjust those attitudes and behaviours. They follow the familiar A-B-C pattern that many disciplines use as the foundation for basic learning.

 

Just as first responders and care professional know the ABC’s of emergency care (Airway, Breathing, Circulations), everyone working in health care remember the ABC and D’s of Dignity in Care.

Attitude

Behaviour

Compassion

Dialogue

Dignity in Care

What do we mean when we say Dignity in Care? 

The CQC, Regulation 10: Dignity and Respect states it is to make sure that people using the service are treated with respect and dignity always while they are receiving care and treatment.

To meet this regulation, providers must make sure that they provide care and treatment in a way that ensures people's dignity and treats them with respect always. This includes making sure that people have privacy when they need and want it, treating them as equals and providing any support they might need to be autonomous, independent and involved in their local community.

Reasons why family and friends don’t report abuse and neglect

Reasons why family and friends of people who live with dementia in long-term care facilities don’t report abuse and neglect 

“There are 850,000 people with dementia in the UK, with numbers set to rise to over 1 million by 2025. This will soar to 2 million by 2051. 225,000 will develop dementia this year, that's one every three minutes. 1 in 6 people over the age of 80 have dementia.” 

Of the 850,000 statistics say that 300 thousand people are living in Care Homes across the UK

So why don’t family and friends of people who live with dementia in long-term care facilities report abuse and neglect?

(Well quite frankly that’s an ambiguous statement because family and friends are complaining, campaigners like BBC Panorama and Your Voice Matters are complaining – the Local Authorities and CQC just aren’t listening and despite CQC Guidelines forbidding sanctions Care Providers are still banning or imposing sanctions on those who do complain.)

But why don’t people complain?

Sustainability and transformation plans (STPs)

So what happened about the 2013 NHS Constitution and the Pledges it was supposed to make?

The Edith Ellen Foundation responded to this and gave a complete breakdown on the reasons why little was understood of the NHS mechanics by those that attempt to change NHS systems.

Unfortunately, many of our predictions of the expected outcomes were intelligent and robust.

So now we have this below, and we have to ask what is the point when

a) the problems are well known and documented

and

b) when little changes because those that have the influence and power to make don't want to listen and address the real issues?

Mental Capactity Act

Failings From the Top

How would you feel if you couldn’t return to your native country to live out the remainder of your life?  Because a country you are not a citizen of decided what was best for you with very little knowledge about you, your wishes and your beliefs?

With many Dementia Patients, they feel the need to feel safe and secure in a place they understand and a language they speak.  But doesn’t this sentiment not apply to us all?

How, is the Court of Protection and Social Services “safeguarding” the Subject in this case?  What is the legal basis for their argument?  And would the resources not have been better placed looking at the failing care system rather than subjecting a 70year old to this?

Why, did the Court of Protection need Mrs Kirk to “go and retrieve” the Subject?  Why was neither of them stopped at the boarder before being allowed to leave? 

Keeping Independent(2)

I recently reviewed The Breville Hot Cup, in the article entitled Keeping Independent.

Nanny D, an 89year old woman maintains her independence with the help of some cleverly sourced kitchen appliances that gives her family peace of mind.

In the original article, I alluded to the Toaster and Egg maker that is also enhancing meal times, a toaster which cooks one poached egg or up to four boiled eggs with very little effort in less than four minutes at the same time as it makes tasty toast.

The Toast and Egg maker is made by Tefal, and means that Nanny D can have a nutritious breakfast, lunch or dinner with a poached or boiled egg.

I asked Nanny D about this product and how she felt it worked for her.

Is it the best we can do

Is it the best we can do, to close care homes down?

In the Care Industry, one of the biggest Industries in the UK, bad care is endemic, and from the considerable research undertaken over many years, has long been known.

All services are duty bound to cherish the people in their care. Yet Health and Social Care, in its current configuration, does little to stop leaving people living in care fearful of facing their own fate, alone and frightened.

The concept that lack of money and limited resources being the main cause of failing care services, are disingenuous. Bad care will be found where management leadership systems are professionally dysfunctional, and disconnected, are not closely linked to the shared respect, value and support of its staff and where they are not making the best use of practical hands on training and new research, education and development.

Care home fined £1.5m

Care home fined £1.5m after dementia sufferer died falling downstairs

A care home has been fined £1.5 million after admitting a serious health and safety breach following the death of a dementia sufferer. George Chicken, 76, died after he fell down an unlit staircase at Rose Court Lodge Care Home in Sutton Road, Mansfield. Afterwards, his devastated family said they would like to see the re-evaluation of all care homes who advertise themselves as delivering dementia care.

Pensioner shot wife dead

A pensioner shot his wife dead before turning gun on himself after he 'couldn't cope' with her dementia diagnosis, an inquest hears.

Two deaths that were avoidable if budget cuts had not affect Healthcare Services.  Mr Postlethwaite, could have accessed help and support but felt he was unable.

A retired farmer, who shot his wife dead before turning the gun on himself, left a note saying he couldn't cope with looking after her following her dementia diagnosis, an inquest has heard. 

The bodies of Graham and Maureen Postlethwaite were found at their Merstham home on June 15 last year after concerned neighbours called the police. Officers forced their way into the home and discovered the body of Graham, 77, at the foot of the stairs and Maureen, 80, in her bed - with a bullet wound in her head.

DoLS checks ‘exposing care failings missed by other assessments’

The much-criticised Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards are helping uncover failings in the care of vulnerable people that have been missed by other assessments, according to professionals. 

A survey of 92 best interests assessors (BIAs), the group of mostly social workers qualified to coordinate DoLS assessments, revealed the most commonly reported ‘positive outcome’ from BIA input was the reversal of incorrect decisions that people lacked capacity to make decisions about their care.

Understanding the Mental Health Act

Mental Health (Focus on Social Work Law) Christine Hutchison and Neil Hickman

Macmillan Education UK 

August 2016 

£15.99 

ISBN  9781137447401

A practical understanding of the Mental Health Act is essential for social workers, as well as other health and social care professionals. This succinct yet comprehensive book sets out sections of the MHA, from civil and criminal routes into hospital to aftercare in the community, and summarises protections and rights for those subject to the Act.

Mental Health Act Manual 19th edition

Mental Health Act Manual 19th edition Richard Jones 

Sweet & Maxwell

30th September 2016

£82

ISBN: 9780414057487

The 19th edition of the Mental Health is a crucial insight tool for any professional working in mental health law, this specialist work reproduces the Act and its associated Rules and Regulations with annotations by Richard Jones.

Key developments incorporated in the new 19th edition are:

Secret film exposes care home failures

 

It has taken the BBC and its Panorama Team of investigators to finally address serious failings at not one but two Care Homes in Cornwall run by the same Provider.

Nursing Homes Undercover

Panorama goes undercover in two nursing homes and finds evidence of cruelty and neglect.

Reporter Janice Finch booked into the homes as a resident and witnessed staff rushed off their feet, leaving the privacy and dignity of some fellow residents often ignored. 

The company, which has a chain of homes in Cornwall, earns millions from NHS and local authority placements and has already been told to make improvements.

An emergency safeguarding plan is now in place after the programme makers raised their concerns with the Care Quality Commission and other agencies.

Watch Programme on BBC1 Monday, 21st November 2016 at 8:30pm Panorama.

Kindness of Others

The Edith Ellen Foundation works solely to improve the provision and Standard of Care within the Healthcare System.  Run entirely by volunteers we do not seek recognition or reward.

We rely on donations and the kindness of others.  If you can support us by donating and support us to continue our commitment please donate here
https://www.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=mZAZYXrJFo_hhSTckDWLJIs-0WAWqwE_IIx3HAO17TCo_0KO6IzVs479mqa&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8d333dc9aadeed3fe0b5b299d55fd35542

Accessible Holidays

With the cold weather here and Christmas fast approaching many of us our looking at booking holidays for the new year, Easter, Summer or just to get away from the daily grind.  Rolling fields, traditional pubs and stylish cities; a weekend exploring a corner of England is sure to be fun!

Finding somewhere to stay is part of the excitement, here are a few suggestions:

(Click on the picture to be taken to the main website for these holidays)

Prince Charles: 'Having reached this age I understand' what caring for elderly is 'all about'

Prince Charles: 'Having reached this age I understand' what caring for elderly is 'all about'

Rallying cry for MPs to 'Save social care tonight' gets 279 'noes'

Rallying cry for MPs to 'Save social care tonight' gets 279 'noes'

Care workers protest over council-owned company’s plan to cut wages

Care workers protest over council-owned company’s plan to cut wages: Care workers will lose up to £2,600 a year under cost-savings proposed by a local authority-owned trading company, union leaders claim. Tricuro, which delivers adult social care for Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth councils, has proposed changes to terms and conditions for frontline staff as part of a plan to address a £1.3m “cost pressure” the […]

Elderly failed by 'shameful' care system

In a recent report by Nick Triggle and David Rhodes for The BBC - the Elderly are being failed by a shameful care system.  Gone are the days when NHS meant National Health Service, now it is a lottery into who can get the care and how much £££'s.  When will our NHS and Government wake up and relaise the NHS should mean one care, one price for everyone!

The way older people are being cared for in England is "shameful" and "scandalous", charities say.

Age UK and the Alzheimer's Society criticised both the quality of care and the way it was rationed as they published fresh evidence on the state of the care sector.
It includes figures that suggest the number of older people not getting help has risen by nearly 50% since 2010.

Quality of residential and nursing care hit by staff shortages

Quality of residential and nursing care hit by staff shortages: An analysis of 100 inspection reports also found staff are being left unsupported due to poor access to training and supervision

The Chief Inspector of Services at the CQC Andrea Sutciffe

I would like to pick up on this recent comment by The Chief Inspector of Services at the CQC Andrea Sutciffe which states:

“As we improve the way we monitor and inspect care services we will explore how we can collect information to give us a greater insight into this issue which we know worries the public and can be an important indicator of a service struggling to provide good care. This will help us to focus our inspection activity and encourage improvement. We will also continue to use our enforcement powers to take action against providers where appropriate for the benefit of those using services.”

One of the problems that the Foundation and care faces, are finding the right person and organisation that can trust that wants to listen and wants to put into place the practical improvements that could so easily be made.

Santa Forgot

 

Santa Forgot, narrated by Stephen Fry, imagines a world where Santa is living with the effects of dementia and no longer visits children on Christmas Eve. But we believe in the power of research to change the future. Do you?

Perpetual Grief

Dementia overtakes heart disease as leading cause of death in England

Dementia overtakes heart disease as leading cause of death in England

Teenagers' blood creates youthful brains in old mice

Teenagers' blood creates youthful brains in old mice

UK Charity Week

Vulnerable People & Flu

Recognising the symptoms of Flu and understanding the risks is essential when dealing with vulnerable people.

Many people still think that Flu is just a bad cold, but it isn't.  Flu can develop into more serious illnesses, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, which could lead to a stay in hospital or even in more serious cases death.

The number of deaths in the UK from Flu varies each year but can be as high as 10,000 deaths - in a Flu epidemic this number is more than 20,000.

Each year around 15-20% of people in the UK are infected with Flu, though many people say they rarely get Flu!

Flu

In an article on the Healthy Holistic Living site - click the picture to go to the article

they provide a break down of the ingredients - Carcinogens, neurotoxins and chemicals.

In the opposing corner is the Department of Health and NHS
In our article Flu Jabs published on the 13 October 2016, we looked at the Myths verses Facts and what to look out for regarding symptoms.  As a Foundation the Edith Ellen can't advise either way whether you should or should not have a flu jab.

However, we can provide you with access to information that offers both sides of the argument allowing you to make an informed decision.

Dementia now striking people in their 40s as mercury from vaccines causes slow, degenerative brain damage - NaturalNews.com

Dementia now striking people in their 40s as mercury from vaccines causes slow, degenerative brain damage - NaturalNews.com

Lack of training and understanding in our hospitals

Our Patron and Author of Behind Those Care Home Doors Adeline Dalley who advocates for the provision of outstanding care should be the objective of every provider; the receipt of outstanding care should be the right of every individual who needs it.  

Messaged me today with a personal report on Abuse within the care system

Hospital care, staff do not seem to understand fluid charts or medication safety it seems. 

UTI’s (Article 10) - Can I prevent urine infections?

Can I prevent urine infections?

Unfortunately, there are few proven ways to prevent urine infections. No evidence has been found for traditional advice given, such as drinking cranberry juice or the way you wipe yourself.

There are some measures which may help in some cases.

It makes sense to avoid constipation, by eating plenty of fibre (such as fruit) and drinking enough fluid.

Older women with atrophic vaginitis may wish to consider hormone replacement creams or pessaries. These have been shown to help prevent urine infections.

If there is an underlying medical problem, treatment for this may stop urine infections occurring.

For some people with recurring urine infections, a low dose of antibiotic taken continuously may be prescribed.

UTI’s (Article 9) - What is the outlook (prognosis)?

UTI's - what is the outlook (prognosis)

Most people improve within a few days of starting treatment. 

See a doctor if you do not quickly improve. 

If your symptoms do not improve despite taking an antibiotic medicine, then you may need an alternative antibiotic. This is because some germs (bacteria) are resistant to some types of antibiotics. This can be identified from tests done on your urine sample.