Shouldn't the elderly be given the choice of being looked after in their own homes?

Question

Rather than being shoved in an Elderly Persons home or Nursing Home? Taxpayer to pay. Our elderly deserve the best of the best. They built our country and fought our wars: Fed us: Clothed us:Educated us-need I say more?
I will-no Euthanasia by withdrawal of food and water which is what is practiced at the moment?

I am talking primarily about The UK. I was put under pressure when I said I wanted to care for my father at home. I would have needed a lifting aid. They told me it wasn't feasible or possible.

I have also worked as a care assistant in a nursing home and seen how many care assistants were employed-not nearly enough-minimum wage too. Too many needs and not enough care. The amount of money this Government wastes could have paid for this scheme many times over.

I said Euthanasia-actually it is unlawful killing.

Answer 1

Not all of our elderly are 'shoved' into care homes. Some of us have no choice due to the nature of the health issues affecting our elderly family members. I'm speaking from the heart, and referring specifically to Altzheimer's Disease. Please do not make sweeping judgements - it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do,and I live with the guilt daily - and please be assured, the care has had to be funded by the enforced sale of my parents' home - not the tax payer. However if my parents had been living in a council house instead of trying to make their own way, the same care WOULD have been available, in the same care environment, but paid for by the state. In this country we are penalised for trying to provide for our old age, even when we have worked all our lives,paid tax and national insurance. You gotme going - sorry

Answer 2

I work for a Local Authority and elderly people are ALWAYS given the opportunity of being looked after in their own homes.

People who do eventually go into homes do so because they are no longer able to live at home for a variety of reasons but always because they cannot remain safely in their home.

Discussions with the person and their families take place regularly and views are taken into account when decisions are made.

Unfortunately it is not always possible for their families to look after them again for a variety of reasons.

Finally your dream of the tax payer footing the bill will never happen - no Government would be willing to raise income tax by the amount needed.

Answer 3

This question poses a typical conflict of what "should" occur vs. what society is willing to fund.

In a perfect world, no one would even age!

So, in order for an elder to remain in their private housing, who will provide shopping and other chore services, like laundry? Who will shovel the walks? Who will change the storm windows? Who will transport them to the doctor's office? And, when the doctor orders medications for the elderly person, who will responsibly administer them?

There's no dispute about "whether" the elderly deserve an independent environment in which to live their final days.

What are you willing to do to achieve that aim?

Currently, suicide among the elderly is No. 1 among all demographic populations, so there's no logical argument that care for the elderly is sorely lacking.

The US society, through the elected governing bodies, has not established care for the elderly as a national priority.

Answer 4

Another example of how shallow societies have become we should take care of our families where it is possible. With old folks homes only there where that support can not be provided or were the level of care requires professional support that can't be given in the home.

We are a small densley populated country house prices have gone crazy a return to such traditional makes more sense even in monetary terms so if thats all you love then there you go there is a reason for you aswell.

We live in a very wasteful selfish greed filled age people and its going to come back to haunt us one way or another.

Answer 5

I recently made enquiries for an elderly relative who is now in her nineties and nearly blind, she had a couple of nasty falls recently, the care homes that I contacted wanted nearly a thousand pounds a week, with the care workers on minimum wage. The home owners are getting very rich.
She couldn't afford to go into a home and I am not in a position to help but we have now got some care workers to visit her twice a day and she is much happier staying in her home with us visiting her to do her shopping and chatting to her keeping her up to date with gossip.

Answer 6

I easily have helped with elderly human beings and that i got here upon an extremely pleased team as quickly as I had a female Scout Troop carry their badge ceremony at a Nursing residing house. between the girls folk ought to play the piano and grew to become into extremely joyful to play on the child Grand piano. the girls folk did a flag ceremony and marched in protecting the flag at interest. the helpful sufferers stood at their wheel chairs to salute the flag and pledged allegiance. It grew to become into so friendly. It grew to become into sturdy for the girls folk to work out the elderly, and the elderly enjoyed seeing the extra youthful means. We additionally sang songs from the 20's - 50's. attempt to work out in case you have an area scout troop, or verify with churches and synagogues to work out in the event that they have babies communities who might delight in doing a service undertaking. Ask them what have been their well-known television exhibits interior the 50's. I remember Queen for an afternoon, whilst the main dramatic, undesirable female with a minimum of 6 youngsters and a runaway husband might win a washing gadget and dryer. there is the Gale hurricane teach; my well-known -- Loretta youthful teach, I undercover agent, etc. that would desire to convey lower back thoughts!

Answer 7

Yes. I regularly pass a retirement home and the same people are sat in the same chairs. It doesn't look as if there is any joy in anyone's life there, just complete acceptance.
This is so wrong after a long life working, bringing up a family, running a home, then to be deprived of that home to exist in bland surroundings,suffer indifferent care and indifferent food.
It just is not right.

Answer 8

I couldn't agree more. However I do agree with accommodation which is supplied by local Government were the elderly have their own apartments and have a warden who is there to deal with their needs. These places do provide company for many people and it is great when activities are organised for them. I was very surprised last year when I heard that the home my friends mother was in stopped feeding her and left her to die. Somethings need to change.

Answer 9

They believe in Euthanasia in the UK? I'm amazed! But they do it through starvation? That sucks! My mom is in a nursing home in California. She would love to be at home taking her last breathe in her own bed. I couldn't afford a nurse and the ones I did get, she kekpt firing them (her Alzheimer's). I am very sad that the indignant way that she is going to die. In a nursing home with underpaid and understaffed aids. If I wasn't working or in a marriage realtionship, I could take care of her at home. But I'm afraid that I would also go crazy. I totally agree with your reasoning and sensitive heart. I wonder what will happen to us.

Answer 10

Well, how much are you willing to increase your taxes to make this happen? How much of your paycheck will you give up?
In order to be attended by a doctor (house call), nurse (house call) person who bathes, etc. and a person who can administer CPR, it costs a lot. Then you need an accountant to manage their money. I think you haven't been in this situation. Honestly you should look deeper. No one wants to make this choice, but in my mother-in-law's case her daughter could no longer take care of her. she was exausted and getting sick herself. in my grandpa's case, he was pooping all over the carpets and the house smelled bad. eventually my grandma got too sick and old to clean it up every day.
If you suggest that workers come in to do all this, who will work for that price with the skills, how will we ensure theydon't abuse the elders and expecially are you as a taxpayer willing to pay for it. i mean i agree with you but you have not thought all the way through this.