Thanks to Emma from Alzheimer’s Society for news of this latest survey. Ed
A report launched today (Tuesday 26th February) by Alzheimer’s Society has found that 67% of people in the South East would be very or fairly scared about going into a care home.
The report, entitled Low Expectations, finds that excellent care does exist, but that pessimism about life in care homes is leading people to settle for less.
South East has largest number of care homes
The report, also reveals three quarters of relatives would recommend their loved one’s care home despite less than half saying their relative has a good quality of life. In the South East, there are 3,483 care homes with 85,421 places in total (although not all care homes will be full).
This is the highest number of care homes amongst the regions and nations of the UK and at least 80% of care home residents having dementia or severe memory problems, the charity is calling on the government and the best care homes to do more to ensure minimum standards and more effective regulation.
Newing: “It is possible to live well with dementia”
Angie Newing, Regional Director for Alzheimer’s Society based in Reading says, “We know that there are lots of excellent quality care in residential care homes, but our research has found that people have very low expectations of what a care home will offer and many are scared of ever living in one.
“Too often we hear that people with dementia in care homes don’t have the opportunity for regular and meaningful social interaction and activities of their choice which help them continue to live well with dementia.
“Care homes shouldn’t be seen as an isolated place of last resort but as part of the wider community. They should be championing the fact that with the right support, it is possible to live well with dementia.”
“Never once had to worry about my Mother’s welfare”
Martina Keens-Betts, whose mother was in a care home in Hampshire, said, “I can’t praise Marlfield in Alton enough for the consistently wonderful care my Mother received during the last 4+ years of her life. The staff loved, cared, comforted, nourished and entertained my Mother as though she were their own.
“I never once had to worry about my Mother’s welfare which set me free to totally focus on enjoying her and loving her in the time she had left. The abiding memory of my Mother and her carers is their bright happy smiles throughout each and every day of her stay at the end of which my Mother passed away with a truly blissful expression on her face.”
New tools
To support the report, Alzheimer’s Society recently released two new tools to help those choosing a care home and those caring for people with dementia in care homes.
The ‘Handy Guide to Selecting a Care Home’ and care home staff leaflet ‘This is Me’ were released in January.
Both tools are available as free downloads at www.alzheimers.org.uk/lowexpectations
You can also contact Alzheimer’s Society on 0300 222 1122 or can visit www.alzheimers.org.uk
