HOME care for many of Greater Manchester’s nearly 30,000 dementia sufferers is woefully inadequate, according to shock revelations from The Alzheimer’s Society.
The society’s investigation revealed high levels of dissatisfaction with care and a serious lack of training.
Forty-nine percent of dementia sufferers do not think that homecare workers understand the specific needs of people with dementia. Other people affected by dementia feel that homecare workers are not able to treat them with ‘understanding and dignity’.
Numerous failures were uncovered by the Alzheimer’s Society with people not being fed or hydrated or properly assisted with eating meals. Additionally, it was found they weren’t given baths and showers and would be left to sleep in wet or soiled bed sheets. There was also issues discovered with patient’s medication with some being mixed up or thrown away.
Since 2010 the adult social care budget across Greater Manchester has been cut by 40 per cent. The area that has been hit hardest by cuts is the training and development of staff.
Seventy-one per cent of trainee homecare workers do not train practically before becoming qualified leaving them unprepared for real life experiences at work.
Sue Clarke, operations manager at the Alzheimer’s Society in Greater Manchester, says: “There is simply not enough money invested in the social care system.”
This failing in local authority’s budget distribution is having a huge impact on the quality of life for those already living with terminal illness.
Ms Clarke also said: “Homecare workers are crying out for more dementia training- without it, their hands are tied behind their backs.”
As well as patients not being treated fairly, staff are expected to do a job without the appropriate training.
Ms Clarke claims: “It is clear they are not fairly or adequately equipped with the skills they need to support vulnerable people with complex needs.”
The charity is pleading with the public to sign a petition asking the Government to tackle a ‘broken home-care system’. This is part of the charity’s Fix Dementia Care campaign. The petition pledges to bring funding to rebuild the care for dementia patients, providing further support and training for the home-care workers. So far the petition has reached over 800 signatures however, they hope to get more.
To sign the petition, click here
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