That's a Shameful way to Treat the Aged.

There has been an increasing number of reports over the last few years about how the elderly are treated. Especially in Care Homes. I know these reports are sensationalised for the Media, but as a person of a certain age this still worries and concerns me. I dread the day my husband and son begin to struggle to care for my needs. I'd hate to have to rely on strangers to care for personal care. This looms terrifyingly closer as the years pass more rapidly than I'd like. I struggle to keep my mobility as arthritis continues to ravage joints. My only form of exercise I can continue to do with relative ease is swimming. Luckily I enjoy this and find it therapeutic not a chore to be endured.

The reports coming from Doncaster about the allegedly appalling treatment of elderly dementia residents and their family being given a measly 30 minutes to find a new care home beggars belief. Having had to find suitable care homes for my Step Sister in Law after she had a devastating paralysing stroke and my elderly, doubly incontinent, increasing frail, nonverbal, prone to choking Parent I know what a traumatic time consuming thankless job this is. There was no way could I have ever managed to choose a care home from a list presented to me by a stressed Social Worker as those Doncaster relatives had to. 

I looked at numerous Care Homes on the internet and at their Care Quality Commission reports. Made umpteen telephone calls and appointments to view Homes and discuss my relative's needs. I discussed with other immediate family my findings and recommendations. Then when you've chosen a home there are other formalities to go through such as the financial situation and the Manager of your chosen home has to be assured she has the staff and equipment to care for your relative before she/he accepts your vulnerable much-loved relative.

The Media reports state that many of the staff were crying, the residents were crying and relatives were crying. The place was in chaos. Medical records weren't sent with the resident. Their placements hadn't considered whether they had the facilities to care for the resident's needs, That a shambles. Whatever evidence the Council had for shutting the home, previously inspected and rated as Good, at such short notice, there must have been a better way of handling it. Heads should roll for this unforgivable treatment of such vulnerable people.

Having completed a search through the internet articles it seems the Doncaster City Council Social Care policy for the elderly has been in total disarray now for several years. Reports of threatened closures have been happening now since 2014. That seems quite sufficient time to get your policies and commitments in an acceptable position. Going from crisis to crisis speaks of poor leadership and management.

Maybe there should be thoughts given to a radical new Countrywide policy that removes profit-making from elderly care.  After all, if the St Johns  Ambulance Association can run 'Not for Profit' Care Homes then why can't all Care Homes be run on a similar model.