[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.