Care Funding - under the radar

I note that all the replies refer to Social Care in England. In Scotland, the Scottish Government's 'Free Personal Care for the Elderly' eases the financial situation somewhat though the resident is still liable for the Bed & Board element of the Care Home Fees.

Someone mentioned that the Tories no longer needed votes from Care Home residents. I don't think it is widely known that prior to an election, a registration officer will visit the care homes and decide which of the residents is eligible to vote. At the first election when my DH was in a care home, he had a postal vote which I took to the Care Home and helped him to complete. That was easy as he was a life long SNP member,voter and activist. The next general election I discovered that he was denied a vote simply because he had a Dementia diagnoses. I was furious.

He was in a wonderful care home where football and other sports fans were encouraged to wear their colours and watch games on tv when their favourite team was playing. Similarly, residents were helped to follow their religious practices and any other interests or hobbies, But they were prevented from exercising their right to vote although they could clearly express their preference. Meanwhile, anyone with dementia or other similar mental condition but still being cared for at home will be able to vote.

The issue of funding social care is one that every government ducks because it is so complex and cost greedy. But someone will need to sort it. I will be looking at the manifestos very very carefully!

maddyone

Does it matter? She’s saying they were Asian! My mother always called the Asian staff at her care home ‘those Indians.’ And she said ‘a big black doctor’ about the the lovely GP who was called out to her. She was 94. Brought up in a different era. I never bothered to jump down her throat.

Yes it does matter. Why is the ethnicity of the care worker even relevant?

JaneJudge

It is going to be too late before people realise this affects them

Yep. They’ve been doing the same thing with cuts and changes to disability benefits for years. By the time vulnerable people realise how they will be affected, it’s too late.

Grannynannywanny

Playing devil’s advocate here but it’s possible the lady had wandered off from the care home in her slippers and fallen and the staff were walking her back. That could account for her soiled coat and dishevelled appearance.

No because it’s a secure home and you need key codes to enter or leave. My Mum was in there for a few months before I found a wonderful place so I know it well.

growstuff

maddyone

Does it matter? She’s saying they were Asian! My mother always called the Asian staff at her care home ‘those Indians.’ And she said ‘a big black doctor’ about the the lovely GP who was called out to her. She was 94. Brought up in a different era. I never bothered to jump down her throat.

Yes it does matter. Why is the ethnicity of the care worker even relevant?

Because we have very few black or brown people around here.

growstuff

Primrose53

growstuff

How did he know the members of staff were Indian?

Indian or Pakistani then.

How about Bangladeshi or Filipino?

Definitely not Filipino ….. he lived with a Filipino girl for 5 years and would know the difference.

Didn't Johnson claim to have fixed social care? And didn't Hancock claim to have thrown a protective ring around care homes during the pandemic?

Grantanow

Didn't Johnson claim to have fixed social care? And didn't Hancock claim to have thrown a protective ring around care homes during the pandemic?

Didn't Johnson want to cull the elderly. Nothing seems to have changed. We may have different PMs but their Party still has the same views.

Oh, abd the still lie at the drop of a hat.

Oh, abd the still lie at the drop of a hat.
Oh, , and they still lie at the drop of a hat.

Johnson's attitude shows a disregard for the continuing contribution of the elderly to society - - the care of grandchildren, volunteering in all kinds of services to supplement and complement public services, serving on parish councils, essential paid work for employers as a result of low pensions and spending money into the economy. He was completely out of touch.

It's a matter of political will. The Tories don't care about the care sector. BoJo claimed to have 'fixed' the problem with his National Insurance hike. It was a hopelessly inadequate response and a ploy to avoid the issue. In any case Truss axed it when she became PM.

Primrose53

My son was out cycling the other day and he passed a care home in the next village. He said there were two Indian members of staff walking with a very elderly lady shuffling along. He said her coat was absolutely filthy with food all down the front and her hair looked like it had never been brushed. She just had an old pair of slippers on her feet despite it being a chilly day. He was shocked and went on about it all evening.
What a way to spend the last part of your life!!

It’s worth remembering that people with dementia can become extremely stroppy or even violently aggressive - over clothing and personal care. When FiL was living with us I had to use all sort of devious strategies to get him in clean clothes, and as for having a bath or shower, he’d only do it (after much persuading) for dh, who was often away for work for a few weeks at a time.

I once found my mother at her excellent care home, still wearing her nightie under her jumper and over her trousers! Staff were very apologetic but said she’d very crossly refused any help.
Not that it mattered at all in the great scheme of things.

Reported

I’m so pleased I live in a devolved country I’ve every confidence our government will do it’s best they’ve done alright by me so far however, we’ve had our money cut from the thieves in Westminster otherwise we would do much better. I just hope we get independence soon, I don’t apologise for the party political broadcast
From a loyal Scot

This thread is a YEAR OLD.

A deluded Scot who obviously hasn't noticed the dire state of Scotland.

The problem here is that the NHS was never intended to pay for care of the elderly. Medical care has to take priority. In the past, families were expected to look after their senior relatives. They were the ones whose responsibility it was to pay for private care.

I’ve never seen so many people in public areas with serious mental health issues, it seems they are just abandoned. Its a dusgrace.

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Reported.