Older people dying from lack of social care

I know. I've met so many good Social Workers who were quite beaten down by seeing so much need yet being unable to do what needed to be done.

Many grandparents are now looking after grandchildren whilst the parents work, I wonder if those families will look after the grandparents when needed.

GracesGran, I really don't know as a whole new system is needed, maybe something like Germany or France have. We need to campaign for change.

rosenoir, as we're all living longer, many of us are in our sixties or seventies when our poor parents need help. It's tough enough working until 65 for some of us. My back problems are just due to 'wear and tear' but I couldn't cope physically with hoisting/transferring/supporting anyone.

Things are at crisis point now but I consider myself robust, optimistic and long suffering. What I'm really worried about is how my children and grandchildren will manage when they're old and frail.

I don't see how Generation X (61 - 81) will be able to look after their children as they will still be working ... won't they?

Add to that that they may be looking after us. Sad to say but caring for the elderly or very elderly can destroy your help as you are often doing it alone with no support. So how can they?

You're right Hetty. It does need a whole new system. So far though all we have been offered is tweaks and not selling our homes.

GracesGran, the proposed 'not selling our homes' is a devious plan. Currently, if you receive care at home, it's not included in your assets - but it will be.

The 'not selling' is only until you die, when the debt, plus interest, is payable.

Some lovely government working party has realised that care homes are closing, demand will increase significantly - oh, so how can they avoid any responsibility for paying?

I agree to many of the points raised above. I've had to deal with social carers myself, for my parents who require quite a lot of care. The system is under pressure tremendously. Private carers have worked the best for us. Also, residential care was another option, but we soon established that that option was out of the question. We found our lovely carer Karolina with a care agency and she has been looking after our parents for 1 year. Whenever she needs to take a break, the agency sends someone else to cover for her.
In my opinion, this is the best course of action if you are looking for any particular type of care. Here is some advice if anybody is interested. I myself found it very helpful.
www.thecareworkerscharity.org.uk/homecare
www.guardiancarers.co.uk/care-information/pay-for-homecare

Private carers would be my choice too.

My mother was probably part of this she died in hospital waiting for a care package. She was in hospital for over 3 months after a fall when she broke her pelvis. She suffered a number of health complications in hospital and steadily deteriorated. She became largely immobile. When she was deemed fit for discharge she needed nursing and social care. I did a tour of the local care homes that could provide the nursing care but didn't think she would like any of them. We were waiting for a care package to enable her to return to her own flat when she died of pneumonia. She had signed a DNR. I still wonder if she could have been discharged asap to her own flat if she would have lived longer, but she was 93. The care she received in hospital was amazing and the team who were working towards her discharge did everything they could. But I don't want to spend my last days in a bed on a hospital ward.

@trisher I hear what you say. 100% agree. I'm sending you good thoughts.

Thanks mamagran I thought my mum was an isolated case but sadly it seems not to be so.