When Are Old People Put Into Care?

[El Cid]

21 minutes ago, cuttsie said:

A serial killer loose . Some die very quickly in  those holmes 

I remember reading that they only live two years, on average. But then they are old and unwell when they go in.

1 hour ago, trastrick said:

 

Prevents the nice lady from next door who pops in daily to see if she's OK, from inheriting her worldly goods,, so the inlaws can argue about who gets what! 

My will, will specifically say £xx to the person looking after me. It's difficult to know how to word it, when I don't know the circumstances or how much money I will have.

It used to be assumed that the family members would care for their old ones, but these days they are likely to live miles away.

[trastrick]

6 minutes ago, El Cid said:

I remember reading that they only live two years, on average. But then they are old and unwell when they go in.

I was old and tired and ready to pack it in when I went for a vacation, maybe my last I told my brother, to DR.

 

13 years later, I'm living with love, young, old, music, dancing, kids and beautiful nature. 

 

He laughs and reminds me! 

 

[crookesey]

I recently attended my annual waste of time at the Hallamshire, young doctor, treat me with respect but as a very old person, I’m 75 and other than Rheumatoid Arthritis, I’m in pretty good form. He recommended exercise, I told him that I take a 5 miles dog walk every morning, he hadn’t got an answer. All my old mates that are still with us are very much the same as me, nobody gets out alive but we’re not fools to be patronised by folk younger than our kids.

 

 

[Anna B]

3 hours ago, dan_999uk said:

Absolutely not. The MCA specifically recognises a person with capacity's ability to make a decision others might consider unwise, for instance refusing medical treatment following an intentional overdose even where it may cause disability or death. Making an unwise decision doesn't mean you lack capacity.

 

You do have the right to say that, however what might be more useful is actually writing down your wishes, as those making decisions on behalf of people who lack capacity are required to take such directions into account. Compassion in Dying has comprehensive information about Advances Decisions, Advance Care Plans, Advance Statements and DNACPR. 

Thankyou. Good advice.

 

 

Becky's point below is also probably true too, but there's a big difference between Care Homes and Residential Homes which not everyone is aware of. 

2 hours ago, Becky B said:

I'd also like to put in that some people thrive in care homes.  It's not all doom and gloom.

Edited December 11, 2022 by Anna B

[Anna B]

Sorry posted in error

2 hours ago, Becky B said:

 

 

Edited December 11, 2022 by Anna B

[Becky B]

8 hours ago, trastrick said:

I don't know about "thriving" in a place where everyday the people around you are dying?

If the alternative is living alone, and the only people you see are carers coming in for 15-30 minutes at a time.

I've known people who don't want to be discharged from hospital because they enjoy the social interaction.

 

You make it sound like people are dropping dead left, right and centre!

[Anna B]

1 hour ago, Becky B said:

If the alternative is living alone, and the only people you see are carers coming in for 15-30 minutes at a time.

I've known people who don't want to be discharged from hospital because they enjoy the social interaction.

 

You make it sound like people are dropping dead left, right and centre!

Every care home I've been in has had a circle of old folk sleeping in chairs round the edge of the lounge for hours at a time, day in day out, with the telly blasting out but no one watching it.

This arrangement is so it takes the minimum number of carers to keep an eye on all of them at once.