View Single Post
Old 02-04-2015, 07:25   #8
Margaret Pilkington
Beacon of light

 
Margaret Pilkington's Avatar
Re: alternative care for elderly

Quote:
Originally Posted by Accyexplorer View Post
Personally,I think it sounds like a recipe for disaster.
I don't believe half of the carers I've seen should be doing any sort of care work.
They seem to be either just in it for the money,power trippers or think they know it all and that's without mentioning those with insufficient experience/training.
Most the carers I've dealt with need monitoring a hell of a lot more than they are and this should preferably be done by family member or guardian of the service user.
What Fra is asking is wouldn't it be better to have a live in companion who could help with the caring in return for accommodation?
And the answer has to be Yes it would.....as long as the issues around what duties are carried out by the live in companion, that these were mutually agreed and documented in a legal style contract.
It has to be better for older people to be cared for by someone in their own home on a 'live in' basis than for the elderly person to go into a care home.....and this could be less expensive.
You just have to find the right person. Someone who can get along with the older person.
I know if I were widowed and on my own I would rather live alongside someone, do the cooking, shopping and the housework for two.....especially if it meant my living costs were reduced by having my accommodation provided.

As for other options for home care....well, they are abysmal.....and you are right about those employed to provide the care.They are (in the main) slap dash and only doing it for the money.
This is because they don't get enough time to form bonds with those who they are caring for.
Forming bonds means that you actually do 'care' about the person for whom you are undertaking personal tasks.......and that is the difference.
__________________
The world will not be destroyed by evil people...
It will be destroyed by those who stand by and do Nothing.
(a paraphrase on a quote by Albert Einstein)
Margaret Pilkington is offline   Reply With Quote