Counsel and Care: Care home census shows resources needed
Friday, 30, Jun 2006 12:00
A census released today (30.06.06) by CCC of care home residents in England has shown the urgent need for more funding to be made available for residential care services.
The census of over 32,000 people resident in 751 care homes across the UK found:
A very high level of dependency in care homes generally;
An overlap in the types of needs between residential and nursing care;
The large numbers in care homes where loss of mental functioning is particularly significant. And it also highlighted the impact of chronic diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and stroke;
The inconsistency apparent in the use and funding of care homes from area to area.
The survey also highlighted the increasing number of care home residents with very high levels of need:
72% of the residents included in the census were immobile or reliant on assistance;
62% were confused or forgetful;
24% were confused and immobile and incontinent.
Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care said, “This census is hugely important, and highlights as ever that there needs to be a shift in attitudes towards care home provision. If more care home residents are highly dependent and frail their care will be expensive, and needs to be supported properly by the Government. Care homes remain an important part of the social care spectrum, meeting needs which are very difficult to manage well in a domestic setting.
“CCC’s conference today will discuss these issues, offering a good opportunity to explore the way services are commissioned in order to meet future and current need.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Counsel and Care is a national charity getting the best care and support for older people. Advice on issues affecting older people can be obtained by calling 0845 300 7585 or emailing advice@counselandcare.org.uk.
2. CCC is a broad-based, independent coalition of commercial, charitable and public service organisations with a shared interest in providing better long-term care for older people. CCC has been acting as an advocate for managed change since it was established in 1992 as the Continuing Care Conference with the objectives of:
o increasing awareness and developing understanding of long-term care of older people as a political issue
o raising the standards of care available to older people
o developing the standards of financial products used to fund long-term care
Counsel and Care is a member of CCC.
3. CCC’s 2006 Care Home Census was carried out in spring 2006 by BUPA Care Homes, the National Care Forum (NCF), the Registered Nursing Homes Association (RNHA) and the Cornwall Registered Homes Action Group (CRHAG). Martin Green, Chief Executive, English Community Care Association (ECCA) will chair the conference, which will take place on Friday, 30 June.
4. The conference convened by CCC and the Royal College of Physicians’ Clinical Effectiveness and Evaluation Unit (CEEU) will consider the census findings from a broad policy perspective and from specialist but complementary perspectives, including those of care providers; consumers, notably self-funders; regulators; nurses and clinicians.
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Elizabeth McLennan
Policy & Information Officer
Counsel and Care
Twyman House
16 Bonny Street
London
NW1 9PG
Tel no.: 020 7241 8555
Direct tel no.: 020 7241 8523
Fax no.: 020 7267 6877
Website: www.counselandcare.org.uk
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