I have just completed the Guardian Home Care Survey which questioned my experience of Home Care provision.
This questioned me on home care now and in the future.
I am in a rather unique position both as an independent provider and as an observer when I “fill in the gaps” so to speak and perform tasks that other carers don’t.
I however have no experience of the time and staff management that a care agency needs to maintain to function effectively.
My observations include
- Clueless young carers, not all are but one once asked if museli needed cooking
- Insufficient time allocated to service user
- Too many different carers in one week, lack of continuity & no relationship with the client
- Carers who don’t care, few and far between but they are out there
- Carers who join the profession when there is a lack of other employment
- Too much form filling, forms should be used to highlight issues not list breakfast choices
- CRB checks only prove someone has not been caught, not honesty and integrity
- A lack of understanding of an elderly persons emotional needs, to feel of value and have purpose.
- Difficulty changing from one provider to another and the awkwardness this causes the user whilst in progress.
The survey also mentioned the use of technology as an additional method of supporting the elderly in their homes.
Whilst this can be useful in monitoring and in some cases reduce social isolation there is no replacement for the human touch.
It concerns me that in some cases when a care package is put in place family seem to relinquish the responsibility for care. More is needed to be done to ensure family members, carers and community groups work together more.
Let me know your thoughts.
Am I hoping for a perfect solution when in reality costs are escalating whilst budgets are shrinking ?
