[user104658]

The problem with saying "their kids should do it!" is that the age gaps simply often don't work out to make that feasible. If 90 year old Betty had her daughter at 20 and now needs looking after... That daughter is also 70 years old, and very likely not in the position to take on that role.

You also have the fact that the number in need of dementia care is increasing year on year whereas the available care is not increasing, and in some areas, decreasing. These people need professional care round the clock... Leaving them with family is simply not feasible. It's a ticking time bomb that is being utterly ignored.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

The problem with saying "their kids should do it!" is that the age gaps simply often don't work out to make that feasible. If 90 year old Betty had her daughter at 20 and now needs looking after... That daughter is also 70 years old, and very likely not in the position to take on that role.

You also have the fact that the number in need of dementia care is increasing year on year whereas the available care is not increasing, and in some areas, decreasing. These people need professional care round the clock... Leaving them with family is simply not feasible. It's a ticking time bomb that is being utterly ignored.

I don't think anyone is advocating that all elderly can be looked after solely by their families as it depends on the level of care required, however there are a number who could be helped by their families not just by their kids but by grandkids as well familial responsibility doesn't just stop at "the kids" , but yeah it is being ignored in favour of more popular causes

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Cherie

I don't think anyone is advocating that all elderly can be looked after solely by their families as it depends on the level of care required, however there are a number who could be helped by their families not just by their kids but by grandkids as well familial responsibility doesn't just stop at "the kids" , but yeah it is being ignored in favour of more popular causes

The government can't push capitalism / individualism / pursuit of personal profit and then still expect there to be a sense of community of familial responsibility somehow at the same time... you get one or the other. How can an adult grandchild be a full time carer for an elderly relative when the government won't accept anything less than full time employment / "every man for themselves" in terms of personal economic wellbeing? Families don't grow up, settle and age within small communities where they can help each other any more. The vast majority find that they HAVE to relocate to find any sort of financial security and this is actively encouraged or, at least, not discouraged. There is absolutely no interest in preserving or protecting communities or family units.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

The problem with saying "their kids should do it!" is that the age gaps simply often don't work out to make that feasible. If 90 year old Betty had her daughter at 20 and now needs looking after... That daughter is also 70 years old, and very likely not in the position to take on that role.

You also have the fact that the number in need of dementia care is increasing year on year whereas the available care is not increasing, and in some areas, decreasing. These people need professional care round the clock... Leaving them with family is simply not feasible. It's a ticking time bomb that is being utterly ignored.

It is so not
Care robots for old folks are being tested
in Asia now.
They will remind the patient
it's time to take the yellow pill


They can even lift a Old lady to her bed
now TS the future is bright , expanding and robotic



Life In the City

[Brillopad]

Originally Posted by arista

It is so not
Care robots for old folks are being tested
in Asia now.
They will remind the patient
it's time to take the yellow pill


They can even lift a Old lady to her bed
now TS the future is bright , expanding and robotic



Life In the City

Can they bathe patients, cook for them, take care of their toileting, stop them from falling, call emergency services when they become unwell, offer them emotional support and all the other tasks involved. Somehow I think not.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Brillopad

Can they bathe patients, cook for them, take care of their toileting, stop them from falling, call emergency services when they become unwell, offer them emotional support and all the other tasks involved. Somehow I think not.

Yes they will Alert Emergency Services
Yes meals are cooked in the Microwave
done by the care robot.

Not given to the patient until its not to hot etc


"take care of their toileting"
that's not on this level
So humans will do that, for now

Emotional Support
will come via a song they like
and a auto link to a Human Doctor
"when available."

[Cherie]

Elderly care does not have a one size fits all solution, some are happy to go into homes and they thrive on the routine and environment, some desperately want to stay in their own home, some need 24 hour care, some just need enough support to be able to stay at home, some will need nursing care whilst others will need dementia care, this idea that the best solution is to shove them into a home and that's job done needs addressing, and the wishes of the individual needs to be addressed on a case by case basis. Would we chuck everyone with a mental health problem into a mental institution, no we wouldn't but that seems to be the thinking behind elder care, and whilst it is not a palatable truth some families turn their backs when the going gets tough.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Cherie

Elderly care does not have a one size fits all solution, some are happy to go into homes and they thrive on the routine and environment, some desperately want to stay in their own home, some need 24 hour care, some just need enough support to be able to stay at home, some will need nursing care whilst others will need dementia care, this idea that the best solution is to shove them into a home and that's job done needs addressing, and the wishes of the individual needs to be addressed on a case by case basis. Would we chuck everyone with a mental health problem into a mental institution, no we wouldn't but that seems to be the thinking behind elder care, and whilst it is not a palatable truth some families turn their backs when the going gets tough.

I agree it's not one-size-fits-all, and full time care in a home costs a fortune. If they would pay a family member the equivalent of a full time wage to care full time for someone, it would cost a fraction of what a care home costs... and yet, they won't do that. They pay an absolute pittance to full-time carers. Not enough realistically to survive on... so how many can realistically take it on? If they would simply make it financially viable for families to care for elderly relatives, that would go a long way to solving the problem twice-over. It would be CHEAPER, and people would be with family where they would much rather be.


Of course there's also the very uncomfortable elephant in the room. Not everyone was treated well by their parents / grandparents when they were growing up... and owe them **** all in terms of care.