Human rights of the elderly once again being neglected

Today saw the publication of yet another in a series of damning reports on the failures of our care system.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has reported interim findings in a major survey of how care is being delivered to vulnerable people, and has found that care of the elderly in their own homes in particular has several problems, mounting to an effective breach of human rights.

Multiple agencies (state, private and voluntary) now provide care for the elderly, and this creates a confusing environment for all involved, not least the elderly individual at the centre. Shortage and high turnover of staff mean a lack of consistency of care, and staff so pressed for time that people are forced to choose between getting washed and dressed or having a meal.

We have blogged several times about this recently, and it is easy to draw the conclusion that all care for the elderly in Britain is in a disastrous state. However, it is inevitable that the negatives get more media attention than the positives, and as the Equality and Human Rights Commission points out, these finding are only interim and based on complaints, so do not tell the whole story. There are examples of good care homes, good domiciliary care services and good NHS nursing healthcarewell klonopin care aplenty – they just do not get headlines.

That said, there is little doubt that there are problems. Some are systemic (shortage of staff, a proliferation of providers, all dealing with a growing elderly population and a funding base that cannot keep pace). Others are cultural (a decreasing value placed on the elderly). The former can and must be addressed by government and the professions. Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has made care of the elderly a “personal priority“. Let us hope so, and hold her to account in doing so. Sadly, the elderly seem to be less of a priority in the new NHS reforms in England and other parts of the UK.

Changing cultural attitudes is more complex, but not unachievable. Over the last five decades we have changed our attitudes to the abuse of women and children; we have grown in acceptance of those of different races and cultures and we are beginning to change our attitude to the disabled – mainly though the work of campaigners, the media and schools. We can and must do the same in our attitudes to the old. That is something in which we can all play a role.

Posted by Steve Fouch

CMF Head of Allied Professions Ministries