Elderly care system under scrutiny

by GD Wed 30 Jul 2008, 7:56 pm

Is the elderly care system in Jersey equipped to meet the needs of those who rely on it?

For the last two days a scrutiny panel's been asking if the current system is able to cope with the island's ageing population.

John Widdowson's received full-time care at home since 1994.

He has two visits from care workers every day - one in the morning and one in the evening.

"I can cook for myself and do - make me cup of tea and all this - the basics that people want to do, but family nursing do all the other things - they put my washing in which I can't do, they take it out and put it on the horse to dry and put away and fold it. No, it's definitely a must, I would say for the elderly, because they just can't cope otherwise."

John's being looked after today by Wendy, one of his carers from Family Nursing and Home Care.

This week, the care that's provided for elderly people in Jersey's being put under the spotlight.

The Health, Social Security and Housing Scrutiny Panel's conducting hearings to establish how the island should cope with its ageing population.

The hearings taking place are going on for two days, during which the panel will hear from a number of government departments, including Health and Social Services, Social Security and Treasury and Resources.

But they'll also hear from people working at the very heart of the long term care system.

Roy Le Herissier says:

"This is a major, major time bomb which is ticking away and it places enourmous pressure, not only on the individuals who are looked after by the system, but on families on carers and so forth, so it's something we simply cannot avoid"

The panel expects to finish hearing evidence by tomorrow.

Once the hearings are complete, it'll draw up a report to present to the States for review in the autumn. (from Cionline)

by Pete Burtenshaw Wed 30 Jul 2008, 8:05 pm

Lets look at the care the elderly receive here in Gsy. It could be argued that once you reach 60 you are in severe trouble if u end up in hospital and it could be said that some of the care homes in Gsy need investigating.

by kat Thu 31 Jul 2008, 9:42 am

the way the elderly are treated in guernsey is disgusting
Some are builled into moving into homes they dont want to go to
others are given such a low amoun to money to live on they only eat every other day
And i also know a lady who was made a widow who had to go back out to work ,and given little jobs all aound the island ,these she has to go to by bus because she cant drive
if she was a unmarried young mum she would be living in luxury
seems we have it wrong on this island
go look at the care at the bedsits in the maritaine
theser are terrible four bedsits share the same loo,s and baths
This was supposed to have been sorted in 2000 but looks like they are still waiting.
I also know some oldies who go to bed early in the winter so they can keep warm..is this the way our elerly should be treated?
No............so what do we do?

by Pete Burtenshaw Sun 03 Aug 2008, 7:00 pm

well said Kat......great post......

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