Care Homes Necessary Or Evil?

bluelass

Should old or disabled people go into care if they cant look after themselves? My answer is yes they should. If someone needs 24 hour assistance and they are very handicapped (need lifting, spoon fed and toileting etc). No one could do it single handed 24/7 what if they cant sleep because the person they look after is always trying to get out and wander off. And not everyone has the ability to be a unqualified nurse maid so I think it is justified.

Indie_Kid

I have a friend whose late wife was in a care home before she died. My friend is blind and couldn't care for her as well as himself. (she had dementia) It was getting to the stage where she needed care all the time and it was decided that a care home was the best option for all involved.

pmlindyloo

I really don't think that anyone can argue that care homes are the right place for some people.

What needs changing is the wide range of standards in care homes, the exorbitant charges and the low amount councils will pay when the person is funded.

I have known people who have lived in lovely care homes where it is more like a hotel and they have lived their final days receiving great care in lovely surroundings.

I have also known people who have lived in care homes where the level of neglect is high, with too few carers and have lost the will to live.

maman

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I really don't think that anyone can argue that care homes are the right place for some people.

What needs changing is the wide range of standards in care homes, the exorbitant charges and the low amount councils will pay when the person is funded.

I have known people who have lived in lovely care homes where it is more like a hotel and they have lived their final days receiving great care in lovely surroundings.

I have also known people who have lived in care homes where the level of neglect is high, with too few carers and have lost the will to live.

Of course, you're right but not sure whether OP has chosen a random subject for discussion or has a decision to make.

tomtontom

Of course care homes are essential, not everyone has loved ones that are able (or willing) to care for them on a full time basis. Plus some people will benefit from professional care.

Not sure where the "evil" comes into it ...

Pollycat

tomtontom wrote: »

Of course care homes are essential, not everyone has loved ones that are able (or willing) to care for them on a full time basis. Plus some people will benefit from professional care.

Not sure where the "evil" comes into it ...

Me neither.

The original post seems to have a 'strange' tone.
Amost as though the OP is arguing her case or justifying a decision.

FreddieFrugal

I just hope to the heavens that I never have to end up in one. My Grandma and Grandad are well into their eighties and still completely self sufficient, living in the same house they've always been in and as 'with it' as ever. I hope that runs in the family.

But they are necessary, similarly to a previous poster. I've known of several couples where one has ended up needing constant care, suffering from dementia and the other simply can't cope, especially if they have their own health issues.

I don't think it's ever going to be a good feeling having to move a relative out of their home. But most people are not in a position where they can become a full time carer nor should they have to.

In a perfect world it wouldn't be necessary as everyone would stay in good health and mind until the day they died. not everyone is that lucky unfortunately.

Jagraf

I think if there was a better range of care and choice, it would delay needing 24 hour care in a care home. For example, a step by step approach to prevent falls, loneliness etc.

One thing I do know is that we don't care for our elderly enough, as a society. I heard a teen call a ninety year old "cute" the other day and wondered whether he had actually fought for her. It's outrageous.

onlyroz

I am quite certain that my father-in-law was driven to an early grave due to the stress of trying to look after my mother-in-law, who has advanced Alzheimers. Of course many people wish to look after their loved ones themselves, but this should not be to the detriment of their own health and sanity.

Rambosmum

Necessary and evil.

And they won't be any different until we stop paying carers minimum wage and give them proper training, but to do that we'd have to value our elderly and disabled.

Gavin83

pmlindyloo wrote: »

What needs changing is the wide range of standards in care homes, the exorbitant charges and the low amount councils will pay when the person is funded.

I have known people who have lived in lovely care homes where it is more like a hotel and they have lived their final days receiving great care in lovely surroundings.

I have also known people who have lived in care homes where the level of neglect is high, with too few carers and have lost the will to live.

Out of curiousity did the people in the first category fund themselves and the people in the later category receive council funding?

It's all well and good to suggest councils should pay more but where would you suggest this extra money would come from?

Jagraf wrote: »

I think if there was a better range of care and choice, it would delay needing 24 hour care in a care home. For example, a step by step approach to prevent falls, loneliness etc.

One thing I do know is that we don't care for our elderly enough, as a society. I heard a teen call a ninety year old "cute" the other day and wondered whether he had actually fought for her. It's outrageous.

I do actually think loneliness is a big problem for our elderly and probably gives many dementia where otherwise they may be ok. The issue is how we deal with this.