How to delay care costs
TASKS that many of us take for granted, such as getting dressed, using the toilet, making a meal, or getting to the shops, can be almost impossible for many elderly people, without help.
Yet older people should be able to live well, not just survive, and good care and support can help them do this, a Don’t Cut Care campaign launched by Age UK is currently highlighting.
The charity claims that right now more than one million older people are left to struggle each day without any support, as spending on services such as home carers, meals on wheels and day care has dropped by more than £1 billion in the past five years.
‘Ferocious cuts to funding for care at home mean that many older people are sacrificing their dignity because they can’t get the support they need,’ says Age UK.
The alternative is residential care, but places can be scarce and funding eligibility is means-tested.
Private places typically cost between £28,000 and £38,000 year, which can soon deplete savings. So it’s no surprise that a survey by Consultus Care shows that 97 per cent of people do not want to move into a residential home and would instead prefer care at home.
But the cost of home care — at around £20 an hour — can also mount up. And in many areas it can be hard to find a company with capacity to send someone at the times you require, even if you can afford it. Meanwhile, councils have recently been told by NICE to ban rushed five-minute visits. They have been advised to send a familiar carer for visits of no less than half an hour to those who qualify for free social care because their assets and savings are less than £23,250. But this guidance is not compulsory. There is a Don’t Cut Care petition with a closing date of October 31 on Age UK’s website. It will then be presented to Chancellor George Osborne.
Adapt to retain independence
MOST elderly people would be keen to take whatever steps they can to avoid the cost and pitfalls of care for as long as possible. And one sensible tactic that might help them to retain independence for longer is to make adaptations to the home, so that it is safer and easier to manage. This can boost confidence — and, importantly, help to avoid falls and broken bones.
DIFFICULTIES getting in and out of the bath and fears about falling can become very real obstacles to keeping clean and fresh.
But having a walk-in shower fitted in the area where the old bath stood could make a significant difference — as bathing instantly becomes safer and more inviting.
The Living Made Easy website advises asking an occupational therapist for an individual assessment to help identify factors that would best meet your needs.
For example, you might need a level access shower where the tray is recessed into the floor, or a shower with half-height doors which will allow a carer to assist.
If this is the case, be sure to pass this information on to the specialist supplier that you decide to use.
The suppliers themselves should also be able to offer good advice based on their range of products.
And many showers can now be fitted as ‘pods’ within a day or so. They come with ready-made walls, so there is no need for tiling, minimising disruption. So it can be
well worth fitting a stylish easy access shower at the first sign of any bathing difficulties — or to future-proof the home in your 60s for the years ahead.
Take pressure off joints
WHEN you sit in a really comfortable, supportive chair for the first time, it can be quite a revelation.
Specialist chair makers understand how to cradle the body when seated — providing comfortable, yet firm seat cushions and lumbar support in the correct position on the backrest.
It’s also important that the arm rests are at a height to enable you to sit correctly and relax your shoulders.
These design features can help to alleviate joint pain and backache, arthritis conditions and headaches, while taking the pressure off aching muscles.
Stylish good looks are essential, too. So look for a choice of high-quality fabrics, to ensure the chair is elegant, as well as being comfortable and practical.
MEANWHILE, an electrically adjustable bed can be a relaxing tonic. Supportive, non-turn mattresses give comfort, while an easy-to-use remote control encourages you to get into the correct sleeping position, giving relief from any aches.
Raising the head section makes it easier to read in bed and to get up in the morning. And some beds raise and lower in height, which can be helpful for those who do need the assistance of a carer at any stage.