In an ideal world this is what my chosen care home would be like
I recently wrote this for Care Industry News and is an idealistic wish in a perfect world
Home from Home
As an elderly person I am now as vulnerable as a young child, the difference being as a child I had no expectations.
Like me many elderly people fear going into residential care and I am no different.
However I can no longer cope alone at home. I have a family but they live away and are busy with their own families and careers. I do not want to be a burden to them.
With this in mind I am looking at residential homes and have decided my ideal care home from Home will be one
- Where I am cared about and not just for
- Where I am acknowledged for what I once did and not for what I can’t do now
- Where I could have a choice of meals and not just get what I am given
- Where it doesn’t smell of stale urine. I may not be able to smell it but visitors can
- Where I am an individual and not an inconvenience and treated with respect
My ideal care home will also
- Provide a stimulating activities and excursions, elderly people still need to feel involved
- Have bright articulate carers who have chosen to care for the elderly, not a last resort and
- Allow myself and my belongings security and privacy.
- I will always wear my own clothes
- I will not live in an environment where I am scared of the other residents who may have dementia
All these requests are “wants” for the ideal world in a sector where funds are shrinking whilst demand is growing. I am just grateful I am elderly now and not in another 30 years.
