Age Concern have launched The Big Q, a new campaign calling for older people to be provided with high quality care that meets their individual needs.
We know the current care system is not working and the Big Question is are you concerned about the quality of care- have you or someone you know had a bad experience of care? If the answer is yes, we want to hear your thoughts and views on the system.
The problem is simple, the current care system is not working, for many people who use it. At the moment over a million people over the age of 65 receive social care services from their local authority. For many they either receive care that is a poor quality or do not get enough to meet their needs.
The care system can not cope with the current demand that is placed upon it but in the next 20 years the number of people aged 85 and over in England is set to increase by two-thirds, with the number of people with disabilities and potentially in need of care- increasing the demand placed upon the care system.
Urgent reform of the care system is needed now to ensure that it can meet the demands placed upon it now and the increased demands in the future.
There is no one standard definition of social care. When we talk about social care we are talking about a range of services and support including help with everyday tasks such as cooking and shopping as well as personal care, which includes washing and help with eating.
Whatever the service is, it must support the person with dignity and enable them to live their life in the way they want; whether that is to live in their own home or to receive support in a care home.
There are three broad types of care:
Home: When paid care is provided to someone living in their own home. This could be personal care and help with everyday tasks in the home, or support at a day centre. Many older people want to live independently in their home for as long as possible. Home care enables them to do this.
Residential: When an older person requires a lot of support, it may be necessary to have this care provided in a care home which provides care that meets their specific needs.
Informal: When family and friends provide care and support to a loved one. This can include help with everyday tasks and also personal care. The skills used may be highly specialised but it is called ‘informal’ because relatives or friends do not get paid.
As the current care system is not working, we are calling for the Government to make radical changes to the care system and soon.
We want to see changes made to ensure all older people who need some form of care or support, receive care and support thay is high quality and meets their needs. We want the Government to introduce a minimum standard of care.
There are five building blocks that need to be cemented into place to create a strong foundation for a minimum standard of care. These are:
Money
Dignity
Clarity
Fairness
Independence
At the moment there are severe weaknesses in these building blocks which need to be filled to ensure older people receive good quality care.
Link to the Age Concern Big Q webpage
Contact Age Concern Colchester
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