This could almost be a continuation of the last post.
The Leonard Cheshire Disability Charity have today done all of us a great service by drawing attention to the fact that a large proportion of all visits to the housebound (many of whom have dementia) by paid carers, funded by Local Authorities, last no longer than 15 minutes.
In fact, it's become clear during the day that in some cases it's even worse than that. As some companies do not reimburse staff for time spent travelling between jobs, many '15 minute' visits are in fact even shorter.
To put it starkly, vulnerable and helpless people who are dependent on these care visits, are often having to choose between being fed or being toileted.
Yet there are some Local Authorities who refuse to fund care visits lasting less than 30 minutes. So it is possible to have a sane system.
The really depressing thing is that I would be willing to bet that the situation will be exactly the same in a year's time
as much as I agree that The Care system is in need of a good shake up and welcome. I find it hard to believe people are being given the choice of food or going to the toilet. I personally would always ensure that all needs are fulfilled. Indeed if I do not I would be called in for Neglect. See my blog on the subject http://thelightersideofcarework.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/fifteen-minute-flying-visits.html?spref=fb
ReplyDeleteI completly agree with you.
ReplyDeleteby homecare fife