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Matt Seex Editor mattseex@stepcomms.com


CARE HOME


ENVIRONMENT Editor Matt Seex


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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


A majority would pay more tax for better care


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 September issue of The Care Home Environment. According to research carried out before the election by retirement specialist Just Group, a majority of voters say they would be happy to pay more tax for better care services. Most also favour an increase in the minimum wage for care staff.


In addition, over forty per cent of those surveyed support a relaxation of immigration rules for care workers to boost the workforce given the sector’s persistent difficulties in attracting and retaining staff. This follows recent Home Office data showing that applications for visas to work in health and social care have fallen by over 80 per cent since the previous government tightened the criteria. When voters were asked whether they


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


STEP COMMUNICATIONS


would be willing to pay more – either via general taxation or via a ring-fenced social care levy equal to around a 1.25% rise in National Insurance – to improve the social care system, the majority (54 per cent) said that they would. This was true even among younger voters such as the 18-34 age group (52 per cent) and 35- 49 age group (50 per cent). The proportion of those willing to pay more for a better


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,


quality of service is markedly higher among voters who have had to arrange care for a parent (70 per cent) or a parent- in-law (75 per cent). Stephen Lowe, group communications


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


director at Just Group, said: “The stand- out policy among voters was an increase in the minimum wage for carers which would aim to improve recruitment, retention, and quality of staff in the sector. It will be interesting to see how and when Labour’s promise of a fair pay agreement for care workers emerges given the focus on the strain in public finances. “It is evident from our research 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.


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voters are not only worried about how they will fund any social care they or their family might need, but are also concerned about quality of social care available. People, particularly those with first-hand experience, tell us they are willing to put more into the system via taxation if it means they are more likely to receive a better service.


“Of course, there are other competing priorities for the public purse and our research shows a level of incredulity among the public of any government addressing the issue of social care. Almost six in ten adults aged 18 plus said that, regardless of who won the general election, they thought it was unlikely any governing party would deliver an effective social care system in the next term of government. “The question now is that, given the chancellor has scrapped the plans for a social care cap, will this government come up with a credible new policy that voters can count on?” I hope you enjoy the issue.


THE


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