In the next 20 years over a million of us will have dementia, yet dementia care is something we are often reluctant to think about. Gerry Robinson, whose father had the disease when he died, returns to our screens in a new series that highlights this important issue.
In this podcast, Gerry Robinson reflects on his experience of filming in a number of struggling care homes, where he examined the way they are run in a bid to improve conditions for residents.
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I suppose my own involvement in it probably is probably stimulated by my father who had dementia at 84, and for reasons I've never quite understood something in me knew to stay with him rather than try and bring him back to me.
What was striking for me was how cogent he was when he got into certain territory and in a sense the older that territory the more cogent he was. For whatever reason it did seem to me to be the place to be was to be with him – and of course that is now generally accepted to be the right way forward in dealing with people with dementia.
Literally without exception - literally in every case, sometimes taking longer than others - but if you gave enough time with any one that you sat with and sat with quietly and sat with either holding their hand or looking them in the eye you got something. Some thread got picked up.
People told you amazing stories about their lives, what they'd done in the war, how they'd lost their loved ones. I mean really, really, kind of poignant and potent stuff.
You couldn’t but come away from an encounter like that and not feel that they had got quite a lot from it. And it must be awful mustn’t it? It must be just awful to be wandering around in a… in your mind, in a lost sense, and have so little connection.
And when those connections happen how potent and powerful they are.
The worry that people have is that you know people are in danger and therefore they don't allow them access to things like gardening tools; or give them an opportunity to do some things which have an element of risk. And therefore you have you lose that sense of them, living in their own homes, and having some kind of… some kind of normal life.
You have an overly protected approach. And I think the thing that strikes me most is that there is an automatic assumption that when people are angry and frustrated and they shout and… Actually, sometimes striking out in dementia care, that’s nothing to do with dementia.
That's the frustration that goes with not being heard, not being able to communicate in the normal run of things. So our assumption is that dementia has all these characteristics. It really, really doesn’t.
When you get good dementia care there is such a pay off, when somebody is well handled in dementia versus being badly handled and it's very obvious when you see it.
I'm really hoping that the programme will have the impact of making people realise that actually it isn't the quality of the curtains or the colour of the carpet or even the fact that it doesn’t smell, important though that may be. Those aren't the things that matter.
If you're going to put a loved one into a home - and clearly that is a necessity at times, you'd better spend a day and actually look what happens. Look to see what kind of care is going on, what kind of connection is there with the residents? How much is being done to keep the residents active, involved, in touch with themselves, feeling part of something, feeling like a home rather than an institution.
That’s what will change - what will change the ways that homes operate is the choice of the customer, and the customer is nearly always not the resident but a relation of the resident.
And I'm hoping that the programme, if it does anything, will make us choose homes where this kind of care happens. And what's interesting of course is if you run a home very successfully - and obviously I've seen some which are just brilliant - then the economics also work for you because people want to come to the home.
I don’t have a problem with the profit motive. I have a problem with the profit motive when the profit is earned as a result of skimping and cutting back.
If the profit is earned because the home is full because people want to be there because people can see those making the decisions can see that it is a happy experience for those that are in there I have no problem with that at all. I'm up for it in fact. I'm completely up for it because I think that kind of service, that kind of caring, should be rewarded.
We need to think about this in a way which allows these people, who have done amazing things, really amazing things, and to remind ourselves of that, and end up caring for them in a way which keeps their dignity.
And it's perfectly possible. I suppose that for me is the both the hope and - in a way - the fear. If your starting point is that you think this “people with dementia, you know, they just have dementia and that’s all there is to it”, then when you see that it can actually be managed brilliantly, from the point of view of the resident, and that you can have a group of people who, although you can't solve the problems of the disease, you can certainly leave them feeling happy, involved, connected as far as that’s possible. And honestly you can so see that when it's there.
And I think that’s a lesson that this can be done properly and it doesn’t have to be done - it's not a choice between money and care. Both are possible. It's possible to make a reasonable living out of this and still do it well and care for those that - you know – that are under your care.
Gerry Robinson was talking to The Open University in a telephone interview.
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Comments on: "Gerry's view"
dovercourt has started a thread discussing Gerry's view.
I found this programme really compelling but I feel cynical about the way the compare and contrast was done between the two homes. I also feel that for all his passion for change the closure of the home was a very sad, tragic, shocking outcome to a programme that was supposed to result in a 'fix'. It appeared that Gerry had actually upset the apple cart completely and far from causing positive change was the catalyst for a catastrophe. Perhaps that was just bad editing.
However, my real point is that it is and has been staggeringly clear for a very long time what is absent in many care services and especially care homes and that is OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY. I am not talking about the perfunctory aids and adaptations I am talking also about the addressing of people's remaining dreams and ambitions. The OCCUPATIONS that would give meaning to lives. The lovely manager that was used to model positive care was doing just that. I don't know if she had an OT background/training but what she was effectively doing was bringing OCCUPATION into the entire picture. It should not just be a plan for the future or a consideration -it should be happening NOW and should have been happening a long long time ago. People throughout their lives want and need to be purposeful, feel as potent as possible and worth something. This is always achieved through appropriate amounts of autonomy over ones activities/occupations. Those who have lost function may not have the same level as mastery as before and this is where team work and a model of interdependence is vital in promoting cooperative working.
Occupational deprivation can be seen as an offence and yet it goes on owing to the lack of investment into the continued productivity and purposefulness of older people's lives. We MUST get this right yesterday. people are suffering now and Occupational Therapists are absolutely ideal and trainedto address this.
So, Gerry PLEASE put your efforts into making Occupational Therapy a reality for older people throughout this country. And everybody else who cares about this please write to your MP. This is almost certainly going to affect everyone of us one day.
I have not a comment but a question for Mr Gerry Robinson.
It seemed to me that all that he said and revealed was good and impressive. Then at the very end of his programmes it appeared that the home he visited was closed down as a result of his enquiries. For what appeared to be no good reason the inmates were forced out and it was clear that many would not recover from this.
Far from an improved life their lives were ruined. Why did this happen? If there had been an abuse problem this could surely be corrected without a functioning home being lost.
What is the explanation?
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
Leon Collins,
I think that is an example of how the regulation system works – to hell with the residents. The program probably was not able to say more as criminal proceedings may have been involved.
I hope that Gerry Robinson's programme was an eye opener for the authorities.
I am a professional pianoplayer and in my spare time during the day, I have been entertaining at many care homes. It has been very rewarding, and it is fantastic to see how people who have been very angry is calming down. A man who could not communicate with his family, have start singing, and new all the words to old songs which capture the emotions of people. I am invited back every month as the carer realise that their job get easier after the clients have been singing and listened to music. However, some of the care homes are depressing and it boil down to incompetent leadership.
Well done Gerry Robinson and the BBC that was a good start. A program with the appropriate regulators explaining how they justify taking their wages, is urgently required now. My wife has been a nurse involved in the care of the elderly for over 40 years and has found it a constant battle trying to maintain acceptable standards of care. The various regulating bodies (there are too many) have allowed the standards to decline, due in part to the inspectors not understanding anything about real care. It would be revealing to make a program showing the inspectors viewing Gerry's program and commenting on what they saw, similarly with the appropriate politicians. One omission from the program was the failure of the NVQ system of training for carers, this is far too academic, a good carer does not have to be able to read or write, all they require is the imagination to see the care from the point of view of the cared for, this a human skill, easily demonstrated but almost impossible to describe.
I agree, that what was shown in the series is shocking and i know it is happening a lot-i am working in the care sector 5 years already-it is a precise picture. It makes me feel angry,i want to change this reality and i do. I do not agree with one thing mentioned in the program-at one point it was almost said that homes which have foreign staff are equal to homes which give bad care-people that work in this homes are different, they are good professional carers and bad ones! Instead of focusing on ones nationality focus on their ability to care!Educate the staff-we saw a R Nurse there that did not know what EMI stands for-and she was in charge of two homes! Dementia awareness courses are a very good start indeed.
It's great that Gerry Robinson has focused on this area of social policy. Let's not lose the momentum. This challenge – one which is not only about demographics but crucially about quality and commitment to each individual - is one of the greatest of our times.
Let's not forget that for every bad care home, there are plenty of good ones delivering excellent service. But what can be learnt from the best? And what else should be done to ensure every person with dementia has access to the best care?
Through our research at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (see http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications), we've been able to come up with a range of practical solutions that, if implemented, could make a difference. These include practical recommendations on how to manage a dementia home, how to recognise and address pain in residents, how to support older people at night-times in care homes, and how to improve social well-being and inclusion in extra care settings; as well as a specialist tool - "Talking Mats" - that could help those with dementia communicate better with staff and loved ones.
This year the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has also committed £1.5m to fund a five year programme that will focus on the challenge Gerry Robinson gives himself in the programme: how to ensure a better quality of life for the growing number of older people with high support needs in the UK. We'll come up with a range of costed options that will deliver tangible benefits for those in residential care, housing with care or alternative (what could be very innovative) settings. We will also be supporting leadership and development in our own care homes.
I helped my mother move from a nursing home to a care home two weeks ago. The nursing home offered the minimum of care and some of the carers were abusive. My mother was shaken by a carer and possibly other things happened and not just to her. My mother was able to tell her social worker what had happened at a meeting at which the care home manager was present. We had a meeting to ensure my mother’s safety which was a farce. I would encourage anyone who knows their relative is being abused to go straight to the police as I wish I had done. The nursing home barely acknowledged that anything had happened although they did sack one member of staff. The CQC were informed and did investigate as far as I can tell but the home was and still is registered as excellent.
In response to alijoy's comments.....all of the activites you mention such as tea rooms, gardening etc etc are as vital to a persons wellbeing as medication, nutrition and good personal hygiene. It astounds me that regulatory bodies focus on the tick-box measurable care plans andrisk assessments and fail to acknowledge the occupational aspects of each and every one of us.
(On an unprofessional level) i propose that care home owners, managers and inspectors be placed in an 'adequate' home with very little to 'occupy' them and after a period of say 2 months, see how important that trip to the local tip is in their life. Only then will such quality of life factors be considered essential to dementia care and to the wellbeing of those who rely on such care.
In response to Kandi....i agree that all staff working with people with dementia should attend dementia awareness training. Dementia is more than just 'being forgetful' and can also be difficulties with sequencing tasks or perceptual difficulties preventing you from engaging in tasks. Until every carer fully understands the impact dementia has on a person little can be done to promote that persons wellbeing.
On a positive note....the current dementia strategy aims to train staff in dementia care as an integral element of improving services. Type dementia care stategy into any search engine to find out what is being done to improve service provision
I have watched the 1st and 2nd programme and I must say that my hat is taken off to you Gerry.
We have a family run EMI care home of which I am the manager and I am very proud of what myself and all my team do and for the hard work and dedication that we give to my residents and the families.
[Moderator: specific references to homes featured in the programme have been removed]
I would say alot of this bad practice is influenced by management and there skills whereby things are allowed to slip and staff begin to get into bad habits and unfortunately some owners especially money orientated ones would rather pocket profit than train there staff to an acceptable level to be able to deliver a high standard of care which the elderly deserve. On the other hand there are unfortunately alot of people who see working in a care home as just a pay packet and Im thankful that the staff I do keep as employed are the people who do the job because they want to and are dedicated to their profession.
Some of the people featured in your programmes must realise that one day they will be old, frail and vulnerable and they will need caring for, lets hope that they end up in a care home that is run the same as they run theres. Maybe then they will understand the importance of CARE and what it is really about.
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
I found the programs regarding dementia care deeply disturbing and upsetting
Bless Gerry Robinson for exposing the home in question I just hope the people that where living in this disgusting environment have been re-homed in a caring and loving environment.
The problem as I see it. Sir Gerry is one man powerful a voice as he is it will take a huge kick up the governments butt to insure that stronger regulations are put into place and in forced. and people failing in there responsibilities form management to the end of the chain i.e. People on the floor are held responsible for there failing in there duties
Would you want your mother or father have the very sole ripped out of them ??
i would like to thank gerry for doing this programme i am a career myself and have worked with residents who suffer from dementia for the past 4years now. as a carer myself i no how hard it can be sometimes but when i sit and think about how it must feel for a person who suffers from this illness day in day out, it breaks my heart to know that some people can treat them so badly. i am lucky because the home i work with now sent us on a dementia awareness course which is a 12week course and it teaches you to think from the person who suffers from dementia's point of view and to understand how it would make you feel if you were in that situation also ways to work around it. sometimes even if a person does not want to be active just sitting with them or talking to them helps them feel wanted and respected. i also understand that to us a person could have asked you a hundred of times a question but in there mind every single time they ask you its the first time to them. i think all care homes and hospital should do this dementia awareness training
I've lived and worked with people who have dementia for many of my 30 years of nursing and the last 10 especially and am a manager and carer. I am passionate that we need to look at what constitutes quality care - and it's not tick boxes and as many risk assessments as you can think of.
It's all about engaging with people - about finding that key that unlocks a door, even for a little while. We're all different when well, we're all different if we happen to have dementia.
Sadly, our regulators don't currently look at this in a constructive way and do little, in my opinion, to improve things. I had criticism at my last inspection that drying dishes, dusting, gardening, going to the tip with the handyman etc alongside a staff member didn't count as activities, but as "daily living". Neither did taking someone out for a cup of tea in the local tea rooms - these were just some of the things going on all the time, varying depending what each resident enjoyed. Aaaaagh! It's unbelievable the daily struggle we face with the regulatory industry. They also don't want to hear words like love and commitment and operating, all together, as a family - you have your rows, telling offs, but bottom line is, you're a team, holding no grudges and working togeter to make a home a good place to be for all of us- it rather embarasses them - but you have to have that, otherwise you can't do the job you're supposed to do.
And not all private homes are the same, raking in profit with no thought for who are their clients - some of us, in this much maligned field, do care, and will continue to care.
I just hope Gerry Robinson heads up a new regulatory system and sorts things out before I need the care I give now.
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
I, too, watched the programme about Gerry Robinson with baited breath. How thankful I am to him for bringing into the public forum such insight and tenderness. How short sighted we are: many of us are to end our days in these homes suffering with dementia......I guess there's this inbuilt defence mechanism which says 'it won't happen to me'. I recently completed an OU degree in health and Social Care, and have my Registered Manager's award, and I want to give the next ten years of my life (I am 53) to dementia care, but I just don't quite know how??? Should I research? Should I open a person centred dementia care home? Should I simply visit local homes to give time to residents? Any suggestions?
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
[Moderator's note - post edited. Please refrain from making accusatory statements about individuals.]
Our society does not value carers or nurses or doctors......it values greedy, cunning bankers and businessman and until we treat the carers better than cannon fodder we will never see the light.
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
Thanks to Gerry for highlighting the lack of care in care homes. Hopefully, he is powerful enough for those in authority to listen to and start improving the lives of people with dementia.
As a student nurse, I and my colleagues spent time in care homes; none of us had good experiences. Whilst we could see the problems and how some things could be improved, we had no way of implementing changes. It was so frustrating. I vowed never to go near a care home again.
In my area, most of the council run homes have been closed. I fear that homes run for profit attract only the disinterested, looking for an easy path to retirement. Whilst I acknowledge that there are some good care managers and carers, they are outnumbered by those who would struggle to find employment elsewhere. Good care homes need motivated leaders. How are the poor standard care homes going to attract the genuine caring people they so desperately need?
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
But that's part of the problem - people who are conscientious, vow never to go near one again!
So how do we ever change things, if we all walk away because it's all too much?
I do appreciate what you're saying - I too have felt like that, especially when training. But I hope you understand what I mean too.
The sense of outrage is what spurs you on and you need to remember that and how you felt to make any difference at all.
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
I have never been as outraged after watching a TV programme, as I was this evening. 'Can Jerry Robinson Fix Our Care Homes?' displayed for us all to see, what an absolute disgrace these homes are. Whenever profit motivation is involved, care and respect frequently left behind. If the homes featured in those two programmes, represent the state of homes nationally, then you as owners should be arrested and tried for negligence! How can you run homes like that!
Of course the many care home owners will say that the homes featured are a very rare example of what Care Homes are like, but, I don't believe them, they are run for one reason only, to make money and they will wriggle out of doing anything, if profit is threatened. How could the regulator give the home in Leicester, a mark of Adequate, when it was in that sort of condition? As Jerry Robinson says, regulators, have it totally wrong. What is their excuse?
How can we, as a society allow homes to be left like that? Is there no one with compassion at all in this industry. My partner once worked in such a home, she asserts that all that was reported in the programmes actually happened in the her place of employment too.
Please, please give some love and proper care those poor unfortunate people - who have the misfortune to live in your homes. As a society, we care for our animals far more then for the elderly. I do not wish to be a member of this society
John Ashwell
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
I have sat through both these programes with a real mix of expressions on my face! Pain and joy! And that is the way it is in a way - there are many many things wrong in the sector and many things right - and when they are right it REALLY makes you smile and feel hope! But Gerry is right - it takes passionate leadership - from the heart not the office files! I am really lucky as I work as a freelance entertainer and reminiscence worker and as such go into a huge variety of homes - however - the fact that I have been booked to go in already means thehome is likely to be on the right tracK - at least they understand the value of ACTIVITY! I must admit it is usually a case of turning the TV off and then starting the process of engaging with the wonderful and fascinating mix of PEOPLE in the homes - and boy do we have some laughs - there is so much rich history and so much personality there - but it needs to be triggered. I also realise that I am the lucky one - I go in and get all the good stuff and the often low paid staff have to do so much more on a practical level - I just wish they were universally made to feel more special. I am a member of Active Hearts - a wonderfully energetic and inspiring project run by Hampshire County Council - here's to more of these initiatives and here's to the future with hope - oh - and FUNDING!!!!! Trisha Lewis
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
After seeing the 2nd of the programmes about Care Homes I just want to say that I think Gerry Robinson and the general public should 'Wake up and smell the roses'! This is the reality now in the 21st century - and yes it is scandalous but it is happening up and down the country. What Gerry reported on is not the exception. As a RGN I regularly visit nursing care homes in my job and what he reported today is happening NOW!
Our elderly people are the forgotten society but one day it will be YOU!
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
Hi I've just watched the 2nd programme. I must say I'm shocked that the "adequate" rated care home that was featured in the programme actually closed down and all the patients were removed. It was bad before but surely not as bad as what happened. Dear Gerry, did you really want this the happen?
I think Gerry Robinson exposed lots of things about care homes that people do worry about. I hope he succeeds in bringing about changes. I would like to say that no homes seemed to employ the services of Music for Health which is a company who specialise in doing theraputic music workshops in care homes. Their work is brilliant and I wonder if Sir Gerry knows they exist. Google them and find out what they do. Only like a small drop in the ocean but greatly worth the homes looking into it.
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
This programme highlighted many issues but failed to respond to why there is such disparity between care providers when you have the CQC measuring a standard of care across the range of services. I suspect this programme will ignite a bigger debate on what standard of care is acceptable/necessary and if we want this standard to be improved then how is this going to be paid for. Gerry mentioned that "good" quality care need not be expensive and on some levels I agree but if you are wanting your staff to continue to be motivated when the task of delivering care can be distressing and difficult, and, to be able to work with individuals in a meaningful way, this does require paying your staff well, increasing the staff ratio as necessary and making a bigger financial investment in your managers.
I would argue that this is unlikely to happen due to older people being the most marginalised in our society, and, older people with mental health problems even more. This kind of work is not valued in our society generally and those coming into the work today struggle with the wide range of complex needs associated with Dementia. Some of this can be improved through training but it does require staff to have better analyitical skills, knowledge of reflective practice, and to be supervised with somone who is knowledgable and can provide guidance and coaching skills.
I look forward to the second episode in all its revealing glory.
I can only echo the sentiments of others and be pleased that someone such as Gerry has highlighted this issue, and in such a dignified way and with such empathy - yet whilst strongly challenging current practices and beliefs. Those in power who need to address this issue should look first and foremost not to 'political point scoring' - but to the valuable experiences of family members and carers of dementia sufferers, who have done all possible to enable their loved ones to remain in their own homes, but who have had to bow to the inevitable, jump through hoops, and negotiate moves and decisions to choose care homes. Valued understanding and views of such experienced people as the lady from the Alzheimer's Society to whom Gerry spoke on the programme, and especially people such as us - who have taken the trouble to post valued comment, from the heart, on this site. Dementia care, and it's staff training should be high priority, and probably nationally run and managed, to guard against those 'business only' care home owners whose prime motivation is greed. After all, if a loved one was suffering appendicitis or a broken leg - it would be an absurd notion for their family to have to decide where their specialist care should take place, judge the likely standard of treatment and outcome, monitor it, and pay for it in full - yet this is what has to be done for a loved one with dementia!! I too, would love to add my personal experience with my father's illness, treatment, and subsequent death, to Gerry's quest.
I too have searched for contact details for Sir Gerry to expresss my delight at his involvement in the quality of care for people with dementia. I would also like to share with him and others that the difference between the care homes seen on this programme is, as Gerry pointed out, the engagement in meaningful occupation.
Sir Gerry described such benefits as 'being occupied' and on a micro level he would be right. It is however more complex than simply having things to do.
Occupational Therapy is a little known profession which specialises in promoting engagement in meaningful occupation to improve health and quality of life.
Occupations are everything that we do from washing up to getting our glad rags on or gardening, shopping (the list is endless!!). It is these 'things we do' that make us who we are and influence the roles we adopt and the values we hold. When we cannot participate in these occupations, our health suffers.
Occupations of meaning enable the person to connect to and restore a sense of who they are and i would urge any care staff, family memeber or just interested passer-by to consider the occupational needs of a person and plan care around such needs
Visit www.cot.co.uk for more information.
Dementia care services need to acknowledge the contribution Occupational therapy can have in the design, monitoring and training of all care home staff to enrich the residents lived experience and ultimately increase the quality of care for this client group.
Congratulations Gerry at last the public can see what really goes on in some of our care homes.
I have worked in a private care home for a number of years and also visited many across the country.
It is quite obvious that a care home is only as good as the MANAGER whose running it and sadly many have no previous experience in dementia care & no people skills so treat there staff badly and ignore the residents needs.
You'll rarely find a manager in her care home at weekends its all left to the staff on duty to deal with and with so many staff shortages there is little time spent with the people who need the care.
All care home managers are interested in is making money - filling rooms and cuting back where staff and residents are concerned 'thats whats wrong with care homes today especially the bigger owned ones'
The public should be made aware that prisoners have more spent on there meals per day than care home residents!
When managers are questioned about all these issues they will deny it and so it rarely becomes public knowledge.
Inspectors too are hoodwinked as they rarely see whats really going on and of course were all on our best behaviour when inspectors visit.
All staff in care homes should watch your programme especially managers.
Managing a care home is more than just sitting in an office all day looking pretty -its about caring.
Managers should be more hands on with the people they are supposed to be looking after.
I have long asked the question about why care home fees are so expensive. This was answered very clearly in the programme.Care homes have been seen as very good investments for those seeking a very high level of wealth and lifestyle.Local Authorities in yhe past have often been disastrous in running them.i guess that in the future customers e.g. relatives will have to get much more assertive about how all the money is being spent.The programme will have done a great serviceby lifting the lid off this.
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
I have looked in vain for a place on the BBC site to leave a message for Gerry in order the thank him from the bottom of my soul for his involvement in this. Hopefully you can pass on my gratitude for opening this 'can of worms'.
There are thousands of relatives like me, watching nice, gentle people being mistreated in one way and another. These people have nowhere to turn to. The care homes can ban you from seeing your relative if your complaints, as they see it, are excessive. The CQC don't listen, MPs don't listen ... there is nowhere to go. Many, many people have told me that there needs to be a 'forum' or some central point where their anxieties can be aired, not necesarily naming particular 'Homes' but activites which raise their concerns; inadequate diets, staff using food themselves instead of giving it to residents, theft of jewellery, non-emptying of catheter bottles, 'dumped in a chair' syndrome - I could go on and on. Is it possible SOMEONE could organise this, SOMEHOW and let's get all this sorted! The money is there ..... it's being used on lavish lifestyles of a lot of owners.
Thank you, if you have read and absorbed my words.
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
Thanks Kirsten, appreciated.
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
Great programme I have worked in the care field for many years most of this time working with people with moderate to severe dementia. I have worked in private and public sector in residential and day care environment both settings were specialised units. The day care environments were converted flats not the best environments but the staff made the flats homely with plants, a tank of goldfish pictures and photos of service users taking part in various activities. this created a warm friendly safe place for service users. These units were specialised units staff had no training in care of dementia suffers but the commitment, empathy and caring nature of staff made an enormous difference to people using day care centre. While training is very important the attitude of staff is also very important. We should be doing much much more to look after this very vulnerable group of people. One day you may help to look after your mother or father, or even yourself how would like to be treated imagine being in the situation of Ken in the programme not a happy thought to end on.
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
Like the previous poster, I have searched in vain on BBC and other sites to find a contact email to send a message of thanks and support to Gerry for his dignified expose of the care home/dementia market.
I was an avid watcher in 2007 of his similar programme looking at the NHS.
Inevitably and sadly, I have seen no changes as a result of that series.
I doubt that anything will happen as a result of this programme either.
If there was a way to contact Sir G, I would like to offer my energy and any other skills to make this topic a national debate with actionable outcomes.
But I suspect I am talking into the wind.
Tess
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
ive worked in a care home for 10 years, its run by the council and the standard of care we provide is second to none. all staff are fully trained and take pride in treating the residents with dignity and respect. we have a lot of residents with dementia, our home has a very good reputation and we always have a wating list. i was appalled to see how the private sector compare with the council run homes, at the end of the day all they care about is profit. we have just been informed that the council are going to sell off all thirteen of their residential homes to the private sector, god help the residents if this is what they have to look forward to. we will fight them all the way.
Re: Comments on: "Gerry's view"
Thanks for your post, Tess, and for offering your time and effort to make some headway towards making things better. I and several others I know feel the same. If you need some support ........... sing out.
Hil
Btw I do realise that there are many, many good carers about. We had a wonderful Manager but, sadly, bolshie staff tormented the life out of her and now she is ill. It's this sort of staff who need to be weeded out, but £6 per hour won't do it. What needs to be done is for carers to be given 'proper' employment in the home with proper staff status. At present a lot of homes are their place with staff on 18? hours a week so that it doesn't interfere with their benefits. People need to feel valued for what they do and not bee looked upon as 'bodies in the building' to fulfil regulations. At the moment the available money (which should be used for residents' care) is going into various companies who are making an 'industry' out of elderly care, or being used by some private individuals to refurbish 'homes' to regulation standard and then sell them on for a hefty profit.