Mother's care experience
My dear Mother is in residential care as she has vascular dementia. As I visit her every day I see the full extent to which the care system is failing our elderly citizens.
I asked one of the managers whether it would be beneficial if an extra carer was deployed to cover both dementia units for better organisation.
She stated that the company who own the Home together with 26 within Hertfordshire would not fund an extra carer on the grounds that it was against company policy to have more than the ratio of 1 carer to every five residents and also the fact that fees would have to be raised to cover the expense.
It is incomprehensible to me that the company are so rigid in their policy as surely they should be endeavouring to increase the number of carers per resident, remember we are talking about the provision of one additional member of staff.
This leads me to the other bone of contention remuneration. Managers' salary is around 20k per annum (they do not receive bonuses or expenses like some other members of our society also GP's earn over £100k pa) which is totally inadequate given the responsibilities that they have. Carers are also poorly paid in relation to others within the NHS.
My own view is that faced with the prospect of 1 million of the population being diagnosed with dementia (a nightmare scenario) in the years to come given the current state of the care sector, there needs to be an urgent debate with all relevant parties participating including agencies, charities, residential care home owners together with government if we as a civilised society are to avoid the charge that we have failed a generation who have fought for and contributed in no small measure to the freedoms that we now have.
Gordon
Person centred planning is about the individual. Might be worth while
looking into a personal budget for your mother but i'm not sure how this
would work in a home.
Regards
Emma
HI,
There is debate going on in government re Long term care as we speak. Do get involved - it is the only way to influence.
Also re your Mum - talk with the inspection unit if you think that the care is not adequate for your Mum.
You can do this confidentially without the home knowing.
Also talk with Alzheimer's Society - they may be able to offer you some staff rations and good practice examples.
After all your mother is a customer - she is, either directly or indirectly paying for this care.
Best Wishes,
Lorraine
A Dignified Revolution.
Lorraine Morgan
Health, Nursing and Social Care
Iechyd, Nyrsio a Gofal Cymdeithasol
The Open University in Wales
Y Brifysgol Agored yng Nghymru
18 Custom House Street, Cardiff
18 Heol y Tollty, Caerdydd
Tel: 029 20 471019 (switchboard)
Tel: 029 20 262760 (direct line)
Mobile: 07 827 895 862
________________________________________ From: Emma Wade [[log in to view email address]]
Sent: 14 February 2010 18:25
To: [log in to view email address]
Subject: [Dignity Champions Discussion Forum] - Re: Mother's care experiencePerson centred planning is about the individual. Might be worth while
looking into a personal budget for your mother but i'm not sure how this
would work in a home.
Regards
Emma
On Fri, Feb 12, 2010 at 10:23 AM, gordon marshall < [log in to view email address]> wrote:
> My dear Mother is in residential care as she has vascular dementia. As I
> visit her every day I see the full extent to which the care system is
> failing our elderly citizens.
>
> I asked one of the managers whether it would be beneficial if an extra
> carer was deployed to cover both dementia units for better organisation.
> She stated that the company who own the Home together with 26 within
> Hertfordshire would not fund an extra carer on the grounds that it was
> against company policy to have more than the ratio of 1 carer to every five
> residents and also the fact that fees would have to be raised to cover the
> expense.
>
> It is incomprehensible to me that the company are so rigid in their policy
> as surely they should be endeavouring to increase the number of carers per
> resident, remember we are talking about the provision of one additional
> member of staff.
>
> This leads me to the other bone of contention remuneration. Managers'
> salary is around 20k per annum (they do not receive bonuses or expenses like
> some other members of our society also GP's earn over £100k pa) which
> is totally inadequate given the responsibilities that they have. Carers are
> also poorly paid in relation to others within the NHS.
>
> My own view is that faced with the prospect of 1 million of the population
> being diagnosed with dementia (a nightmare scenario) in the years to come
> given the current state of the care sector, there needs to be an urgent
> debate with all relevant parties participating including agencies,
> charities, residential care home owners together with government if we as a
> civilised society are to avoid the charge that we have failed a generation
> who have fought for and contributed in no small measure to the freedoms
> that we now have.
>
> Gordon
>
>
>
>
>
The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302).
It is always better to talk to the home first and work with the manager and staff so that your mum gets the best. Going behind the back of the home and the manager, does not do your mum any good. Please remember care is effective when it is done with affection and not just as a job mechanically. You must retain the affection of the home and the carers for your mum's sake.Dr. Taleb Durgahee
Palm Court and Keller House Centre of Excellence in Dementia Care
PREFERRED PROVIDER OF DEMENTIA CARE FOR EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Provides Nurse Education and Overseas Nurse Programme
In Collaboration With Brighton University
17-19 Prideaux Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 2ND
Tel: 01323 721911
Fax: 01323 410244
www.palmcourtnursinghome.co.uk
E-mail is not a secure communication medium. Please be aware of this when replying. Although DFB Care Ltd has taken steps to ensure that this e-mail and any attachments are virus free, we can take no responsibility if a virus is actually present and you are advised to ensure that the appropriate checks are made.
________________________________________ From: Emma Wade [[log in to view email address]]
Sent: 14 February 2010 18:25
To: [log in to view email address]
Subject: [Dignity Champions Discussion Forum] - Re: Mother's care experiencePerson centred planning is about the individual. Might be worth while
looking into a personal budget for your mother but i'm not sure how this
would work in a home.
Regards
Emma
On Fri, Feb 12, 2010 at 10:23 AM, gordon marshall < [log in to view email address]> wrote:
> My dear Mother is in residential care as she has vascular dementia. As I
> visit her every day I see the full extent to which the care system is
> failing our elderly citizens.
>
> I asked one of the managers whether it would be beneficial if an extra
> carer was deployed to cover both dementia units for better organisation.
> She stated that the company who own the Home together with 26 within
> Hertfordshire would not fund an extra carer on the grounds that it was
> against company policy to have more than the ratio of 1 carer to every five
> residents and also the fact that fees would have to be raised to cover the
> expense.
>
> It is incomprehensible to me that the company are so rigid in their policy
> as surely they should be endeavouring to increase the number of carers per
> resident, remember we are talking about the provision of one additional
> member of staff.
>
> This leads me to the other bone of contention remuneration. Managers'
> salary is around 20k per annum (they do not receive bonuses or expenses like
> some other members of our society also GP's earn over £100k pa) which
> is totally inadequate given the responsibilities that they have. Carers are
> also poorly paid in relation to others within the NHS.
>
> My own view is that faced with the prospect of 1 million of the population
> being diagnosed with dementia (a nightmare scenario) in the years to come
> given the current state of the care sector, there needs to be an urgent
> debate with all relevant parties participating including agencies,
> charities, residential care home owners together with government if we as a
> civilised society are to avoid the charge that we have failed a generation
> who have fought for and contributed in no small measure to the freedoms
> that we now have.
>
> Gordon
>
>
>
>
>
The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302).