Treatment of the elderly

As Ed West writes on his Telegraph blog, more laws about age discrimination will not affect how we regard and treat our elderly. He is also correct in stating that Age UK spends an inordinate amount of its time in political activism and that no organisation receiving money from the state should become involved in politics, that where a charity is given money to run a service this should automatically be a condition. Age UK is of course, as Ed West writes, a fake charity in that the accounts for 2008/09 showed £4,666,000 (38.5%) of all voluntary income came from government departments.

On a personal level I have what may be termed an 'arms-length' interest in how the elderly are cared for in that my mother lives in a care home. The care home is 'state run' and what makes this care home so remarkable is that the staff working there really do care about their residents and take an interest in their daily lives - whilst unofficially complaining about the health & safety, politically correct aspects which make their work so much harder. Having observed the staff it is becoming a theory of mine that their caring attitude is almost an inherent gene with which they were born - the newest member of staff has been working at my mother's care home for 15 years.

It cannot surely help the aged when their future (or what is left of it) is being decided by those many years younger and who, consequently, have no idea of what it is like to be aged; have no idea of the indignity that is felt by those unable to wash themselves or carry out other bathroom activities without assistance. It cannot surely help the aged when decisions such as this are taken; it cannot surely help the aged when we continue to pour money into overseas aid to the detriment of our elderly, where their care is concerned.

If our politicians must govern us, then perhaps they need to rethink how they intend doing just that, because as I reminded my Member of Parliament: when it is his turn to enter the world of the aged - even with his wealth - he ain't going to like the world he is creating, whilst also adding that for those of us who are not yet 'aged' or infirm, the world he is creating for us ain't so great either!

The way the elderly and vulnerable are cared for - and their treatment - is most definitely an aspect of our society which would improve with a dose of 'referism'.

'Care' Homes & Smoking

On twitter @DickPuddlecote has drawn my attention to this article from deadlinenews, one relating to a 83 year-old man who will be forced to go outside as the smoking-room is being closed for the reason that the health and well-being of other residents is an "utmost priority" of the care home in question,


The care home in question, Canmore Lodge Care Home in Dunfermline, Fife is one of many owned by Barchester Healthcare who pride themselves on "treating everyone as individuals..........and ensuring every day is thoroughly enjoyable."; whilst also priding themselves on the fact they consider "their dedication can be seen 'across the board' where their hospitality is concerned". The Barchester website also proclaims that "......you can be assured of the best quality care tailored to meet your individual needs; home environments that are warm, friendly and leading-edge....."


It has to be said that depriving an individual of the freedom to enjoy what can be assumed is one of a few remaining pleasures that remain in this man's life is not treating him as an individual, nor ensuring every day is thoroughly enjoyable. It also brings into doubt their claim about 'hospitality', whilst also casting doubt on their claim to provide home environments that are warm and friendly. I would have thought that in the last years of our lives those looking after us would do everything to ensure that those last years are enjoyable and thus free from sorrow. Yet the situation of the two men involved in this article means they are subjected to a life that will not be enjoyable and free from sorrow - and it is being decided by those with a belief in political correctness and their decisions being those based on highly questionable 'scientific' findings. It has to be said that when those making the decisions of today become subjected to the world they have/are creating - they ain't going to like it much!


My mother, who has attained her century, is also in a care home, one run by West Berkshire County Council. Where the level of care and dedication of the staff who work there is concerned, neither can be faulted. The story, related above, made me dig out' the brochure I received when I was touring the choice of care homes available at the time it became necessary that I ceased acting as her carer because I felt uncomfortable attending to her personal needs. This brochure stated that "We understand that living in ones own home may be preferable, so we aim to create a homely atmosphere." and "Smoking is only allowed in your own bedroom and the grounds of the home". West Berkshire have recently announced that not only is smoking not allowed in bedrooms (ones that they maintain is the residents own room) but also within the grounds of the care home.


Which reminds me, I must start asking a few questions.....................