Letter to Ian Swanson - Political Editor, Edinburgh Evening News
22 November 2011
Finding Quality Homecare In The Face Of Uncertainty
It saddened me to read in yesterday’s Edinburgh Evening News of the chaos in elderly homecare across Edinburgh; and of “the crisis in social care” in England, as reported by the Guardian at the weekend.
Alas, all too often, the norm has become short 15 minute appointments, late or missed calls, and constantly changing carers. Equally worrying, “care” has come to mean “personal care”; with other vital aspects of homecare being largely forgotten about.
So many of our older folks live isolated lonely lives, craving companionship; they get by on frozen food, when they need freshly cooked nutritious meals; and generally they struggle to keep on top of things, lacking help with general housekeeping.
Factors such as these (often defined as “moderate” levels of need) impact greatly on older people, the quality of life they and their families enjoy, and ultimately their ability to cope at home. With all this uncertainty, many older people and their families will be left worrying about their care provision.
For those wishing to fund their own care or with direct payments, speaking to a private pay service such as Home Instead Senior Care may be part of the solution. With over 90 offices across the UK, we offer a service which is flexible, reliable, affordable and responsive to your changing needs. In contrast to the ‘norm’ our visits are for a minimum of one hour, giving our carers the time they need to provide a meaningful service and really make a difference.
Continued tightening of local authority funded care seems inevitable. Don’t panic though, speak to signposting organisations such as Alzheimer Scotland and local carers groups who can advise what paid for and voluntary services are available locally.
Andrew Senew
Home Instead Senior Care, Edinburgh
^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/20/old-disabled-trapped-social-care?newsfeed=true
