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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