A NEW ERA?

During the last four weeks, while we have all said goodbye to our dear Queen Elizabeth II  and welcomed our new King Charles III, it made me pause and assess where exactly WE in Care are now.

Have the winds of change blowing in our direction? I sadly have to conclude that the answer is a resounding NO.

During this period of mourning, this period of change, 4 more of our Carers have left us for pastures new.

Meanwhile, we continue to receive daily phone calls from desperate family members in our Communities, and from desperate Adult Social Services, all seeking Care for our elderly and vulnerable.

In our branch of Community Carers, in just over a year,  our numbers have halved, and of course with our more recent losses as well, we are completely helpless to offer the volume of assistance that our community so desperately needs. Like so many other agencies,  we have given notice to some of our clients because we simply cannot service their needs. The odd new clients we have acquired have been happy to accept anything we can offer at the quieter time of our day, and that may not be every day! It may not be enough.

This situation is devastating for us carers who want to make a difference in people’s lives;  we want to serve our communities to ensure independence is maintained,  that dignity is protected; that individual stresses and anxieties are quashed by the reassurance of our visits.

What is the answer? What can we do?

No one seems to want to work in Care anymore. The staff that leaves us are not being replaced.

What is going to happen to our family members,  to our neighbours, to our friends?

The reality is that the families who make the phone calls to us are phoning Care Company after Care Company, and being told the same thing…” sorry we can’t help you”.

Their reality is that their own lives will be turned upside down because it is they that will have to deliver care and support to their loved ones.

For those vulnerable and needy people with no family, or family that can’t help or won’t help?  I can’t imagine their future…..

I hope those of you reading this may take a moment and ponder my words.

THIS SITUATION IS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE UNLESS SOME OF YOU STEP UP!

None of us can stop the aging process.

At some point in the future, our mums and dads are going to need help! 

SO ARE YOU!

Let’s not forget our own adult children!

Sadly younger adults are being diagnosed with diseases such as Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and Motor Neuron Disease. Cancer diagnosis…there are many more!

Could you care for your loved one when these diseases become debilitating and life-limiting?

You may already be noticing subtle changes in your loved ones’ abilities,  mobility, and memory. They may have difficulties swallowing or communicating. Their personal care may be slipping; they may be experiencing continence problems; they may not be hydrating as they should or eating well. Are they at risk of falling? Can they manage their own medications? Can they manage their daily lives?

VISIT FREQUENTLY;

LOOK FOR SIGNS OF ANY DETERIORATION or CONFUSION!

ARE THEY SAFE?

ARE YOU DOING ENOUGH?

LOOK! LISTEN! ACT!

It’s your job now!

We probably won’t be able to help you!

You can even support your community by working 5 – 10 hours a week, to see Abicare vacancies visit: jobs.abicare.co.uk