There have been reports this week concerning the welfare of old people care in the community. The Guardian have reported that there are more elderly people in hospitals due to community care being 'starved'. The article shows that there have been calls for more money to be invested in community old people care.
You can read the full article on The Guardian website.
Social care decays
It's first important to look at the cause of why more and more elderly people are being admitted to hospital as emergency admissions. Many have serious infections that may have been preventable if treated earlier by GPs and NHS services. Such services should take the strain off hospitals by providing care to keep elderly people as healthy as possible, to reduce the need for emergency admissions.
Hospitals under strain
When basic needs aren't provided by community care like; washing, dressing, help feeding themselves, then older people may struggle to look after themselves.
The report said recent sharp rises in the number of people “trapped” in hospital despite being fit to leave and patients being readmitted to hospital as emergency cases showed that local councils’ decisions to “starve” social care services of the money they needed was seriously undermining the operation of the NHS, especially hospitals. - The Guardian
Old people care at home
Enabling old people to return home from hospital sooner is one way we can reduce the strain on the NHS. Providing there is suitable support for them to wash, change and eat well every day, home can be the most comfortable place to be!
If you know of an elderly person in need of care why not suggest they look into care help in the home, or assistance with cleaning and other chores to keep themselves and their environment healthy.
Besides day to day care, it is beneficial for them to have access to help in the event of an emergency. If possible they could have both a Key Safe and a Personal Alarm so help can get to them quickly if they were to fall or injure themselves. You can refer a client to our Telecare range of alarms for old people care.
