Low expectations of care homes is dragging down standards, says dementia charity (From The Northern Echo)

Low expectations of care homes is dragging down standards, says dementia charity

3:00am Tuesday 26th February 2013 in News By Barry Nelson, Health Editor

A POLL for the Alzheimer's Society has found that 75 per cent of people in the North-East fear going into a care home.

The report, entitled Low Expectations, finds excellent care does exist, but  pessimism about life in care homes is leading people to settle for less.

The report, also reveals three-quarters of relatives would recommend their loved one's care home.

In the North-East, there are 985 care homes with 30,584 places in total - the lowest number of care homes amongst the English regions.

With at least 80 per cent of residents having dementia or severe memory problems, the charity is calling on the government and the best care homes to do more to ensure minimum standards.

Caroline Burden, North-East area manager for the Alzheimer's Society, said: "We know that there is lots of excellent quality care in residential care homes, but our research has found that people have very low expectations of what a care home will offer and many are scared of ever living in one.

"Too often we hear that people with dementia in care homes don't have the opportunity for regular and meaningful social interaction.

"Care homes shouldn't be seen as an isolated place of last resort but as part of the wider community. They should be championing the fact that with the right support, it is possible to live well with dementia."

Lesley Bainbridge of Durham City paid tribute to the staff at the care home that looked after her late father, Bill Drake.

She said: "The carers at the home were exceptional and I was immediately impressed at their care and empathy for their residents."