09 April 2010
Four in ten adults admit that they do not see their parents as much as they should, it emerged this week, and one in eight Brits have gone a whole year or more without seeing their parents.
The extent to which the nation’s ageing population feel alone and largely ignored emerged in a survey of 3,000 people over the age of 40, commissioned by live-in care agency Christies Care.
43 per cent of people surveyed claimed they live too far away from their elderly parents, and a third blamed their busy lifestyles from making more regular contact.
Three in 10 fear their parents are becoming isolated due to illness, death of a partner or low income and it emerged grandparents spend nearly six hours a day completely alone.
Hugh Gathorne-Hardy, Chairman, Christies Care said: ‘’It’s clear many elderly parents and grand parents are being forgotten about as we carry on with our hectic and stressful lives. Too many are seen too little throughout the year and a significant number are left feeling isolated, with little human contact.
‘’It takes effort to take time out and visit relatives, but even regular telephone calls will help them know you care. We’ve found more than a third are currently worried about their parent’s well-being, yet so many are left unchecked and off the radar.’’
One in ten has managed a conversation with their elderly parents over the phone within the last four weeks to see how they are doing.
12 per cent of ageing parents get to see their sons, daughters and grandchildren once every four months.
But a lucky one in five get to see their nearest and dearest once a month.
But the study found 36 per cent of adults are currently concerned for their parent’s wellbeing, but fortunately two thirds can rely on nearby neighbours to check up on their welfare.
And in their time of need, 85 per cent would be prepared to look after their parents if and when they needed help and two thirds would even move house to be closer to them.
The study also quizzed adults on whether they have any future plans in place for looking after their elderly parents.
Eight in ten said living at home would be their parent’s preferred choice in old age, rather than residential or nursing homes.
But only half knew that a service for care assistants to live-in at home providing round the clock help for elderly or disabled people exists.
A worrying 73 per cent said their parents had no plans to pay for any care they would need.
Hugh Gathorne-Hardy added: “It’s shocking that very few people understand how much care services cost, how they might pay, but also how so few have plans for their parent’s future.
‘’There’s a big national debate about the future of adult social care and people need to know what Government help they’ll get, but also how they’ll pay for the rest.’’
The survey was carried out to mark the launch of a new guide ‘Paying for Care: Your options explained’ published by Christies Care, which is available to download from www.christiescare.com or by telephoning 0844 499 1604.
Only two in ten people said they understood how they could pay for care and three quarters said they didn’t know how much care fees would cost.
Only half knew that the current system for adult social care is means tested.
Long office hours, kids’ homework, after-school activities as well as feeling too tired by the time it’s the weekend emerged as the top reasons to dissuade a visit to elderly parents.
A quarter said the logistics of sorting out a day and time was enough to put them off.
Nearly half of Brits polled (47 per cent) call their elderly relatives for a catch-up.
But more than a third (35 per cent) said they wish their parents got hold of THEM more.
Half reckon their elderly relatives don’t get in touch because they would feel like they’re interrupting and calling at a ‘bad time’.
A quarter said the fact their parents don’t have a computer leaves them feeling lonely and unable to keep in touch via Facebook, email or texting.
Survey by OnePoll
The ‘Care in Old Age’ survey by OnePoll questioned 3,000 people aged 40 – 80 about care of the elderly. For the full results see www.christiescare.com
The Green paper on social care
- A green paper was published in 2009 outlining the plans for reforming the current system of adult social care.
- The paper outlined the first steps of a future National Care Service
- The paper also discussed plans for payment of future care costs, including plans for a compulsory fee of £20,000.
- The green paper can be downloaded from; http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_102339
Personal Care at Home Bill
- The free Personal Care at Home bill is offering to give people free personal care, without a means test, in their own home. It’s restricted to those whose needs are ‘substantial’ or ‘critical’.
- The government estimates that the Bill will help around 400,000 people and will guarantee free personal care to 280,000 with the greatest needs.
Christies Care
- Christies Care is a leading, specialist agency in the provision of Care Assistants for 24 hour, live-in care. Clients range in age from 20 to over 100 years and the practical support they need varies from simple companionship and housekeeping to those with severe physical or mental disabilities.
- The company supplies full-time, live-in Care Assistants for agreed periods ranging from two weeks (e.g. for respite care or convalescence) to ten years or more.
- Christies Care is registered with the Care Quality Commission and works very closely with Social Services Departments. About one third of clients receive direct financial support from Health Departments and/or Local Authorities and Christies Care can help with cost sharing arrangements.
- It is an accredited OCR centre for health and social care training and is a British Institute of Learning Disability (BILD) satellite training centre. The company has invested in modern training facilities and accommodation for Care Assistants whilst they train at its Saxmundham base in Suffolk. It won an award for its training in 2009
- All Care Assistants receive four days intensive residentially based induction training. Over half of employed carers have achieved NVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care.
- Over 500 Care Assistants will be trained by Christies Care this year.
- Advanced training course for Care Assistants include Challenging Behaviour, Brain Injury, Stroke Awareness, Learning Disabilities (4 day intensive course), Physical Disabilities (5 day course), Dealing with Bereavement, Multiple Sclerosis, Deaf Disability Awareness and British Sign Language.