Government Green Paper on Elderly Care

Government Green Paper

With the publication of the Governments new Green Paper there seem to be more questions to be asked then answered.

The Government are saying that only a certain amount of social care will be provided free to all despite paying the £20K- £25k recommended. At this time it is suggested that this will be only for dressing, washing and moving around the home, those needing residential care will continue to pay for food and accommodation themselves although it is argued that this can be deferred and paid as a lump sum at ones death!

Seems to be no change despite paying a lot of money, further what happens to those who need help now?

We see more and more stories in the media about the bad treatment of our elderly in hospitals and in care/nursing homes, how they are ignored, left without food or fluids, we hear about bad and down right filthy conditions, a lack of care or dignity - why oh why??

Is it because the elderly do not complain like present generations? Is it because the new generation have lost that basic respect for old age and the more vunerable? Is it more mundane and down to a lack of money? Or is it that as a nation we just doe not care anymore?

If we do not look after the vunerable in society then we are no longer a society that matters in this world.

Caring Robots?

This week it has been suggested that because of the increase in people over the age of 65 by 2050 - 80 million has been forecast. Then technology should be the answer to helping those with disabilities. This is fine as far as it goes but now the Japanese are talking about using robots as carers.

Toyota is pumping lots of money into developing its mobility robot (this was able to play the violin) to become an advance humanoid robot that could be put to practical use in the home.

I am not sure where this will lead - will a robot really become a friend of the elderly, making tea, cleaning, providing medication or as a companion? Do you get a choice of looks and gender??

What happens during the software crashes, do we press start to stop and re-boot??? And will there be update Tuesday every month??

Your views please!!

Constant Change

Every week we get to hear about new surveys, updated news, new cures or new problems concerning elderly health or care which the media and the pressure groups demand the Government should put into place immediately, fund medical research or change rules/laws etc to deal with the supposed problem.

Is this reasonable, regardless of the colour of the government of the day, there is a limit to what regulatory bodies, national or local government bodies can do, is it not time that we took more responsibility for our problems and the welfare of our elderly - should the taxpayer fund everything?

I do not think so.

Should the government pay for elderly care?

Mar 12
2009
Posted by silverfox in Untagged

Should the Government or the Local Authorities pay for residential care for the elderly when needed?
Can we afford to and who will pay for this care.
Is the present meantesting fair?

www.careadvice4u.co.uk

Does the nhs really care about its ealderly patients?

Mar 12
2009

Posted by silverfox in Untagged


Some evidence would suggest the the NHS has neither the want or the ability to deal with elderly patients in hospital.
There is countless anecdotal evidence to suggest that elderly patients are left unfed- when they do not attempt to eat or cannot get about to eat. The outcome is that patients become malnourished and very poorly.
There is anecdotal evidence that elderly patients are seen as a problem causing bed blocking and despite medical problems are moved from hospitals to other providers even if that provider is not suitable.
Does the NHS really care about its elderly patients??

www.careadvice4u.co.uk

When the end is nigh

When "The End is Nigh"
Posted by silverfox in Untagged

What help do we need at the end of our lives? Certainly dignity, respect and kindness but is this what people get particularly with the modern PC ideas and also the litiguous society we live in??
Is it true that patients needs are respected in hospitals or is it that the hospitals themselves do not have the time or, sometimes, the inclination to offer genuine help to patients and families. And what is this "end of life" phrase about, people die, of all ages, very sad but inevitable cannot we just be honest and move from there to provide dignity and respect; caringand love?

www.careadvice4u.co.uk