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Matt Seex Editor mattseex@stepcomms.com


CARE HOME


ENVIRONMENT Editor Matt Seex


mattseex@stepcomms.com Business Manager


Mike Gammon


mikegammon@stepcomms.com Journal Administration


Katy Cockle


katycockle@stepcomms.com Design


Steven Dillon Publisher


Geoff King Publishing Dire


geoffking@stepcomms.com Publishing Director


Trevor Moon trevormoon@stepcomms.com


THE CARE HOME ENVIRONMENT is published monthly by Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road,


HOME ENVIRONMEN


is published monthly by Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road,


Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1892 779999


Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR, UK. +44 (0)1892 779999


Email: info@thecarehomeenvironment.com Web: www.thecarehomeenvironment.com


Dementia – misconceptions abound


Welcome to the May issue of The Care Home Environment. New research commissioned by care


home provider Care UK has laid bare many of the misconceptions and fears that people have about dementia. Almost two thirds of the 2,000 people questioned by OnePoll are afraid of developing dementia when they get older. More surprising is the revelation that 11 per cent started worrying about the condition in their 20s. Misconceptions about dementia abound – a fifth of adults wrongly believe that Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are different names for the same thing, while 17 per cent believe that if a member of their family develops dementia, this means that they will, too. While fourteen per cent of those questioned think that people living with dementia cannot lead a meaningful life, over a third admitted that they actually know little about the condition. Even though there are (according


Welcome to the November issue of The Care Home Environment. In October, the CQC published its latest annual assessment of health care and social care in England, State of Care 2022/23.


The report highlights familiar concerns – from the fact that insufficient capacity in adult social care continues to contribute to delays in discharging people from hospital, to the impact on the quality of people’s care of ongoing staffing and financial pressures, and the fact that local authority budgets are failing to keep pace with rising costs and the increasing number of people needing care. According to the report:


n While occupancy rates have increased, the CQC’s register of adult social care services shows that the number of registered beds has decreased by 0.6 per cent between July 2022 and July 2023.


to Alzheimer’s Society) an estimated 900,000 people in the UK living with dementia (a number expected to rise to


ISSN NO. 2398-3280 The Publisher is unable to take any


responsibility for views e


ISSN NO. 2398-3280 The Publisher is unable to take any


contributors. Editorial views are not necessarily shared by the journal. Readers


responsibility for views expressed by contributors. Editorial views are not


d by


are expressly advised that while the contents of this publication are believed to be


of this publication are belie d to be


accurate, correct and complete, no reliance should be placed upon its contents as being applicable to any particular circumstances.


ate, correct and complete, no reliance should be placed upon its contents as being applicable to any particular circumstances.


This publication is copyright under the Berne ention and the International Cop ention. All rights reserv d, apart from any copying under the UK Cop right Act 1956, part 1, section 7. Multiple copies of the contents of the publication without permission is


This publication is cop right under the Berne Convention and the International Copyright Convention. All rights reserved, apart from any copying under the UK Copyright Act 1956, part 1, section 7. Multiple copies of the contents of the publication without permission is always illegal.


ys illegal.


cessarily shared by the journal. Readers are expressly advised that while the contents


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n Data shows that the proportion of care home residents who receive state- funded care increases as the levels of deprivation increase. In areas with the lowest levels of deprivation, just over 43 per cent of care home residents are state-funded, whereas in areas with highest deprivation, some 80 per cent of residents receive state-funded care.


n As recently highlighted by LaingBuisson’s Fair cost of care report for older people and dementia, the North and Midlands have a lower proportion of self-funders, further contributing towards inequalities in the hours of care provided compared to the South.


Care England has welcomed the publication of State of Care 2022/23 and is calling for action to address the findings.


The State of Care: familiar concerns and potential solutions


1.6 million by 2040), Care UK’s research found that 72 per cent of adults have made no effort to learn about the condition. In response, Care UK has launched a new video guide which aims to debunk the myths surrounding dementia and provide support to families whose loved ones have been diagnosed with the condition. Suzanne Mumford, head of nursing,


care and dementia services at Care UK, said: “There are plenty of misconceptions when it comes to dementia, and what this means for the person living with it and their family. “In reality, dementia is a condition that


can be managed to ensure those who live with it can continue to lead fulfilling, meaningful lives and can be supported to still do the things they love. That’s why we’ve launched our latest video guide, One step at a time. Featuring tips from our experts, but also testimonies of residents’ families, it is designed to help people navigate through the dementia journey, from dealing with the initial diagnosis to learning how to live well with dementia.” While the results of Care UK’s research


might be troubling, they are perhaps not all that surprising. The spectre of dementia – along with the prospect of old age itself – is something most of us push to the back of our minds. It is a scary thing to think about, and most of us would prefer not to do so. Yet it is only a matter of time before dementia affects somebody we love, or indeed us personally. Perhaps, then, we all need to be a little braver and find out more about a condition that is almost certain to come into our lives one day. I hope you enjoy the issue.


“With a general election on the horizon, these concerns must not be lost. Social care must be seen as an essential part of national infrastructure. The social care sector is brimming with talent and provides essential support for our citizens. We need a government that understands the importance of social care and sets about creating an environment where it flourishes, rather than struggles.” I hope you enjoy the issue.


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Referring to its own Care For Our Future: The roadmap to a sustainable future for adult social care, which was published in September, Care England has mooted a number of potential solutions to the issues facing the sector, including a fully funded minimum £15 wage for care staff, and a £1,500 hospital discharge tariff. Care England chief executive Professor Martin Green OBE said: “The ‘gridlock’ which characterised the health and social care system last year has been aggravated by new pressures for care, including inflation, the cost of living, and ongoing challenges with the workforce. Despite 70,000 new international workers in the care sector across 2022 – 2023, resulting in a net reduction of 13,000 vacancies, we have lost 57,000 domestic workers. This is not sustainable. Without central government intervention, we may not be looking at gridlock next year, but a total impasse.


THE


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