At some point in our lives, we will all be faced with the inevitability of old age. Grey hairs and liver spots will also be accompanied by back ache, and the inability to walk. There are many people out there, who are unaware of the current state of the Care Home Industry...
Here are Ten Facts you may not know about Care Homes...
How did the world treat the Elderly before Care Homes?
Until the 19th century, there was no such thing as a Care Home. Elderly people who were unable to survive alone, would be housed in the same accommodation as the homeless or the mentally insane. The records of the earliest Care Home, originate from a women's Church group in Philadelphia, in 1823.
How much profit do Care Homes make?
The simple answer is, not that much... According to BBC Radio 4, a Care Home makes on average £17,000 per year, before tax. This low figure discourages investors from even dreaming about getting involved with the Care Home industry.
How many Care Homes are there in the UK?
There are roughly 20,000 Care Homes in the UK, holding roughly 450,000 elderly and disabled people . This is a significant figure, considering America has roughly 15,400 Care Homes in total. According to research by Radio 4, the population of british Care Homes, belong to 5,781 individual owners.
How many Care Homes have been closed?
In the UK, around 1000 Care Homes were closed between 2001 and 2011 (according to the last census). This could have been due to the fact, that some homes offer a wider range of care than others, preventing certain patients from residing in their local Care Home.
Whats the difference between a Nursing Home and a Care Home?
Nursing Homes are typically required to be supervised by registered Nurses, 24 hours a day, in order to cater for more serious conditions, like Motor Neurone disease and Muscular Dystrophy. Care Homes on the other hand, only require staff to have an NVQ of level 2 or 3, and do not require a full time nurse on site.
How much does it cost to live in a Care Home?
The average price of Care Home accommodation in the UK, costs between £471-£669 per week. A nursing home will typically charge between £624-£920 per week, in order to cater for more specific disabilities.
So Care Homes aren't free?
They can be, however, if you have more than £23,025 in the bank, your local council will refuse any help with payment towards residential care. If you own a house, eventually you may have to sell it, in order to pay for on going treatment.
Are Care Homes costing the country too much money?
In short, no... The price to keep an elderly individual in a hospital bed, is more costly than a standard Care Home. The exact figures are unclear, however a week in a hospital wing, may cost the NHS anywhere from £1000-£2000 per week (depending on the Patients specific needs).
What does the future hold for Care Homes?
Apparently, not a bright one... According to BBC 4, there will be roughly 5000 Care Homes estimated to close by 2019. This could mean that the remaining homes will become overcrowded, leaving less room for new residents who require special care.
What can WE do to help?
There are a few ways in which we can help to fight the closure of Care Homes in the UK…
Visit Fundraisers and Events-
A great way of helping your local Care Home, is to visit their fund raising events. Galas and summer Fates are usually held, to raise money for day trips and Entertainment.
Talk about Dementia and other such Diseases-
Already, celebrities like Seth Rogen and Christopher Eccleston, have made public appearances, in order to raise awareness of Dementia and Alzheimer's. The more we talk about it, the more people will understand the severities of the current Care Home Decline.
Sign Petitions-
With many homes closing down, it is important to help persuade the Government from taking drastic measures, by signing any Petition that protects the Rights of the Mentally Disabled or Elderly.
Now is the time to start talking about it. If you have enjoyed this post, please continue the conversation down below, in the comments section.
If you want to learn more about me, then please check out my other Posts.
Sources for facts and figures-
http://www.4fate.org/history.pdf
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36200855
http://kff.org/other/state-indicator/number-of-nursing-facilities/
http://www.payingforcare.org/care-home-fees
http://balcombecarehomes.co.uk/2014/04/explaining-difference-care-home-nursing-home/
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That's amazing, thank you very much @dragonslayer109 . That's a great idea you've got going on, I'll be sure to check all your other hidden gems! thanks for the share!
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It's really great what you're doing in supporting writers of good content!
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This is an example of a very good, quality post. The amount of effort and time you put into it, really shows. Nice job.
That's pretty frightening.
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Thank you very much! I appreciate it, thanks for the positive comment @intelliguy ... Indeed, it is frightening! Let's hope that these predictions don't become a reality anytime soon!
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Great post and it really hits home because I have several relatives who are living that situation right now. I'm next! ;) UPVOTED!
I have written a few articles about my experiences in rehab clinics and I do a lot of visiting of the sick and elderly.
I love writing about how things that we see and interact with affect our emotions. I'm also a minnow trying to write good content that is well formatted.
If you can have look I'd appreciate it.
http://steem.link/yUlFz
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Thanks allot, now I'm back home for the night, I'll be sure to check out your posts. Thankyou @kus-knee :)
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I from South Africa and I care for my aging parents. They never wanted this when they were younger, but all our financial situations have not left us with an alternative. And I have discovered over the years that I am happy about it. It is not easy, but I think we expect life to be too easy. Sometimes a little more difficult is a little more rewarding! Society needs to relearn social responsibility.
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Thank you so much for commenting. The world needs more caring and compassionate individuals, like yourself. Respect to you, for the love and gratitude you are showing your parents. You are right when you say we need to relearn social responsibilities. Teaching the new generations about respect should be at the top of our to-do list! I wish the best for you and your family. Take care
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Is that picture of that house, The Winchester House? LOL!
I know you used stock photos, But that seriously looks like it! I just thought that was funny.
Great article thank you for your sources at the bottom ( I need to do that more often)
WE definitely need to take care of our elderly. It's sad to see them mistreated. They are treated like garbage just because they are older and disabled. It makes me really scared to get old.
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Hi, thanks for the comment! You are right, we do need to look after them better, regardless of their physical abilities or age. And yes, it is the Winchester house! It was totally unintentional, I didnt notice it until you pointed it out :D
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Hey @lloydy;
I originally wanted to comment, but then I got sidetracked and it somehow became a wall of text - please excuse my not posting it full-length here.
I've been given glimpses of such an institution and have had a difficult relationship with the whole concept ever since. Allow me please to return your kind invitation to a discussion!
Aka :]
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Hey @akareyon thanks for the comment. Ive got to agree, the concept reminds me of some sort of George Orwell novel. I think Care homes are necessary at this moment in time, at least until we figure out a better alternative. :)
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We had a place here in Madison County in the state of Indiana for many years. It was called The County Home as well as, more informally, The Old Folks Home. I will write about it sometime. It had its pluses and its minuses with a lot of that depending on who happened to be in charge at the time. Its residents were both elderly people (making up most of the population) and people who were younger but were in need of supervision. One of the ones who had gone in young was an education major named Sabra from a well-to-do family who suffered a nervous breakdown. Her family sent her there to get some rest, and she decided that she felt safer there than she did out in the world, so she continued to stay. There were two brothers named Harvey and Otis who also went in young due to developmental disabilities. They had this silver sheriff's badge and took turns wearing it and being the resident sheriff....but I'll save the rest of the story for later...
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