CSCI Report Exposes The 'Maze Of Confusion' In Care Home Selection And Funding, Says Help The Aged, UK

Main Category: Caregivers / Homecare
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 18 Oct 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Reacting to the publication of the Commission for Social Care Inspection 'A fair contract with older people?' which finds older people get a poor deal when searching for a care home, Paul Cann, director of policy & external relations at Help the Aged comments:

'This hard-hitting report exposes once again just how far short of funds the social care sector is. Those that suffer most from this are older people themselves, who often find themselves in unsuitable care home settings where dignity can be compromised. What should shock us all into action is the fact that so many older people and their families find it so difficult to get simple information about what their money will pay for. Older people whose care is supported by local councils find themselves with a particularly harsh deal which must be put right as a matter of urgency - these are often the most vulnerable and poorest older people who have an absolute right to proper assessments of their needs and a care package which responds to their requirements.

'In order to help guide them through this maze of confusion, older people should have a right to helpful and simple advice. The individual financial situation of a potential resident of a care home should never be a factor in providing the right information - older people and their families need assistance to make the right choice for them.

'Help the Aged is already working on ensuring that advice is available to older people looking to make a decision about a care home. Through the My Home Life project, information on the challenges that moving into a care home can present are being made available. Government must do more to help guide older people through this difficult process. Information and advice is the key to good decision making - choosing the wrong care home because of funding pressures or mis-information can be a hard lesson for vulnerable older people and their families.'

1. The report "A Fair contract for older people?" sets out the experiences of older people as they make the decision about a care home and is published today by the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

2. The Help the Aged Advice and Information service produce a free, impartial and easy to understand leaflet: "Care Homes." It is available by contacting Help the Aged by visiting http://www.helptheaged.org.uk

3. The My Home Life programme has been set up to improve the quality of life of those who are living, working in and visiting care homes for older people. More information can be found at http://www.myhomelife.org.uk

4. Help the Aged has set up and chairs the Social Policy Ageing Information Network (SPAIN), which is a coalition of 30 organisations whose aim is to seek proper, permanent funding and planning of long term care for older people. The coalition is concerned about the impact of under funding on older people's care, and wants an end to the blame culture and solutions to the range of problems facing the long term care sector.

5. The Help the Aged Care Fees Advice Service provides face-to-face impartial financial advice and information to all regardless of means, on the best ways to pay for care. For further information visit http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/carefees.

http://www.helptheaged.org.uk

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