Monday, 2 January 2017

Elderly failed by 'shameful' care system



Elderly failed by 'shameful' care system, BBC News, 17th November 2016

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. But ministers insisted plans were in place to support the market.

Care is funded by either councils or individuals themselves - although growing numbers are also relying on family and friends to support them.

The two charities published reports on the same day that the BBC released an analysis of how councils had handled requests for help.

The three pieces of research showed:
·         There are now an estimated 1.2 million over-65s going without help for care - nearly one in eight of all older people
·         Some 300,000 of them have difficulty with three or more tasks, including dressing, washing and going to the toilet
·         Councils agreed to help under half the 1.3 million people who approached them for care last year
·         The BBC identified 11 councils that rejected more than 75% of applications
·         Where home care was provided "serious problems" were identified in the way dementia patients were treated
·         Staff said they had not been given enough training to cope with the complex needs people had
·         Families reported examples of poor care, including loved ones not being given medication, being left in dirty clothes for days and going missing after homes had not been properly secured

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