Monday, 2 October 2017

When did we stop caring about care?



When did we stop caring about people?

When did it become unfashionable to care?

These questions are something I have been thinking over this week.

Over the last few years I have witnessed some care that has been excellent, but some has been shocking.

When did it become unfashionable to care?

We stopped caring when it became easier not to care in the first place. People are not impediments to profit. The best Care Companies celebrate employees and Service Users as the reasons for profit. Integrity is non-negotiable, and transparency and kindness are worthy investments.

Care Homes, hospitals and even the individuals own home is no longer a place of safety

Some of the care workers I have personally met are ignorant, apathetic or both. There is no proper continuity between the different people who care, or clarity about who has overall responsibility. 

But note it is possible to build something lasting and good without hurting people? And yes, be profitable. Companies need to stop behaving badly and realise that honest people are not impediments to profit — they are instruments of it.

Identifiable as one of the major causes of our failing care system is the lack of joined-up help when caring for an older person.  Just a few more staff in homes with a bit more time would go a long way.

No comments: