Care homes not the only option

We have an aging population and because people live longer more people will need care for longer. So the answer is thousands more care home beds then, not only for the elderly, but for disabled people needing care, easy problem sorted

No, over use of care homes institionalises people, may mean they lose independance quicker, their health may suffer, and they become isolated from their communities.

What do we need? First lets not forget they are people with rights and choices. Most people if they could, would stay at home but to do that we need a responsive care service to support people at home with enough flexibility to support lifestyles of choice, rather than the fed and watered, essentials only approach many care packages are reduced to. Its not acceptable that people have to choose between eating or using the toilet, or that people don't don't ask for help for fear of being forced into homes. This fear culture of care needs to change because far from supporting people it puts them at risk.

If someone needs or chooses to go into a supported setting, it doesn't have to be a traditional care home. Group homes where less care may be available but the companionship and peer support are big advantages. Extra care living, still your own home with care on tap. If residential provision is the only option then support should be available to ensure individual don't lose the right to their own lives.

At all stages the person needing care should be in control, and if they choose should be supported to continue with their normal life. If none of the stock option suit them then a bespoke solution should be found, PAs supporting people in residential settings, 24 hour care at home, bight centres, like day centres, but where someone can sleep if they need support should be set up, the possibilities are endless. Instead of fitting people to provision, make the services that suit each person.

Being old or disabled should not mean the end of life as it was, but the same life made better because support is available in the way chosen by the individual.  Needing care doesn't mean people that stop being people, and it is never appropriate to treat them as less than the individual they are.