Chasing an elusive dream – in denial or outright hypocricy?
By 3g0-fwr-43567 In General On 2nd June 2015
Agree with you Leonsmith that the system needs to be simplified and financing care must be fully transparent for the families. The sector does not need any more reactive policy based on misleading knee jerk to avoid bad press. Further, a total obsession with compliance and burocracy over quality care or new changes that people cannot keep up with. Many in the sector don’t understand the difference between Fundamental, Essential and National Minimum Standards – we need simplification of language and demands to be kept very simple so that people can get on with their jobs in a sector that is frequently unable to afford to have sufficiency of resources to deliver good care and work to unrealistic requirements within what is commissioned by the State.
Concern about impact of private pay sector could further destabilise – the sector needs to have massive investment as a legitimate part of the community care pathway if it is to be sustained – it is a national resource and older people should not themselves have to carry the burden for the quality improvement and educational focus that is needed to equip the staff with the necessary behaviours and practice to provide qChasing an elusive dream – in denial or outright hypocricy?
It has to be said, that although care at home is essential to many, it is not an option for some people to stay at home. For some, neither do they want to when they get to a certain stage of health care need. They frequently don’t want to be a burden to others, or indeed continue to manage a property and all that this entails once it gets too much from their perspective. We are all different and should not have a preference imposed on us.
Let’s get real. Where are the volunteers, sons and daughters and neighbours when good will of neighbours and pop in visits become inadequate? Surely as a society we are hypocritical as our economics and values have driven by the values and aspirations and hamster wheel of aconsumer driven society that have had an impact on where people live and work. Familial ties have loosened geographically but not necessarily emotionally, putting more strain on families- let’s face it we have to have had to ‘commodify’ care and affection in order for it to be delivered to our homes for both the young and old if we are having to work and there a living wage for some is still an elusive dream- having a place of sanctuary in another form of home is a must for some and not to feel terrified or live in fear that they have sealed their fate to isolation and an early demise of their identity and wellbeing. Anyway, where is this workforce army coming from, what have successive governments done over the last 10 years to prepare for the proportion of impact on everyday work and community life. Volunteers can do so much but we need a range of services on offer to people that are equally valued and equipped to deliver quality care.
This blog is written in a personal capacity.
The Haves, have nots and have yaughts – what does this mean for us all when we get old?ality person centred outcomes for people with the most complex health needs in our health and care economy.