are too many elderly people being dumped in hospitals because family cannot cope?

Answer 1

The proper question is not how many are being dumped in hospitals, it should be: "How many old and helpless people are being dumped on the streets by our government, because of the lack of medical insurance and the damnation of Medicare.

Answer 2

Difficult one this. To give a fair answer it would be necessary to know the facts of each case.I presume you mean nursing or residential homes rather than hospitals. Hospitals only take people with injuries ir illnesses that need attention and do not usually stay all that long. Where an elderly person is finding it difficult to manage in their own home and needs help ,especially if they can't get out for shopping etc. in many cases family members or children help out. The local health people can arrange for community nurses and carers to call in regularly. How much help the family gives depends on many factors. How many family member es are ther to share the load. How far away do they live. Can they call in daily,weekly or less often. What sort of assistance does the person require. There can come a time when the amount of care and help needed becomes more than the family can provide. They still have their own family and children to care for as well.Much as they might not like to it is sometimes necessary to put the elderly person in a home where they can get round the clock care, which the family cannot provide.As to whether this is a last resort or too soon is a matter for individual families. With modern families where both parents work and kids to care for as well,there is a limit to how much time can be given or spent on caring for an elderly relative. Some are able to do more than others.

Answer 3

I don't think it is because the family can't cope but rather to do with the breakdown of the traditional nuclear family. You also have to remember that in today's society families don't live on each others doorsteps (many families move away to develop careers etc), woman are having children at a later age and therefore are less likely to be able to look after a parent as well as young children and the price of housing has gone up hence the decline in Granny flats

Answer 4

Sorry sweetpea, I think you have it all wrong. However it may just be the way you put your question. You can't just dump elderly people in hospital. My mum and I talked about this as she was worried about going to a home, you hear such horror stories. She ended up getting a flat in a sheltered housing complex and wishes she had done it years ago. What a great time they all have, every day there's something on and they are often away on day drips, her social life is great and she's in her 3rd childhood.

Answer 5

Speaking for the UK it doesn't happen like that.You can't just turn up at your local hospital with your elderly relative and leave them there.If you reported to casualty with them they would be examined and if the on duty Dr.found no reason to admit them then he wouldn't,The beds are too precious.Obviously a seriously ill person regardless of age woul be admitted to hospital.If an elderly person is in hospital when they are fully fit and ready for discharge regardless of whether the relatives want them home they will be discharged.

Answer 6

Yes. But we must also consider the fact that our culture is not what it once was. In years past old folks moved in with their children and lived their twilight years in comfort and love, the way God intended it to be. Nowadays they move to Florida because they feel unwanted or because their children failed to establish a family of their own and so they do not want to impose on the new "sexually liberal" society with its problems and issues. We must also consider that there are some instances where constant care is needed due to ill health and an institution is the only place suitable.
That is the long and short of it.
Mr. M on "elderly people."

Answer 7

I don't know where you are getting your information. Hospitals only take acute care patients who are admitted by their doctors.

We are indeed fortunate that there is help for families who are not able to take care of their elderly relatives. In the rare cases where there isn't any hospital or other care available, the consequences are terrible.

Answer 8

I have worked for many years in the caring professions. Nobody is left in a hospital these days, the NHS simply wouldn't allow it ....they may have to accept residential/nursing home care. It is a fact that not only are people living to much greater ages, it also means that their children are much older when they become carers. I have known of a gentleman aged 100 having a daughter / carer aged 75 years. In these situations we shouldn't judge and nobody can provide 24 hr care without support.

Answer 9

To be honest some people just can't deal with taking care of an ailing old relative. I've visited nursing homes before they aren't as bad as they are made out to be. The one I know takes their patients out on rides and activities and plays bingo often.

Answer 10

In my opinion, yes! Actually, I think it is more about the hurried lifestyles. They simply don't have the time it takes to care for their elderly parent!

I will say this, no matter my lifestyle and how busy, I could and would never place my loved one there! In fact, I closed down my business when my Mom was dying. I did so because I wanted all the time I could get with her as she was dying from liver cancer. It was the greatest honor to care for her! I just hope I cared for her as well as she cared for me when I could not take care of myself!