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05/08/2008
My cure for home-o-phobia Bad news! A report from Ecclesiastical Insurance a couple of weeks ago tells us that two-thirds of British adults are frightened stiff at the thought of having to go into residential care. Age Concern moved in smartly to confirm the thought, publishing research showing that eight out of 10 adults are worried about the standard of care available in old age – and a staggering nine out of 10 people over the age of 75 are ‘very concerned’ about the quality of care that would be available to them or their nearest and dearest. Buggeration! The workhouse probably got better ratings than that, feeding people gruel, chastising them for their own good and offering the coldest of Christian charity. What are we doing wrong? Well, it doesn’t help that we get such terrible press, of course, with endless stories of abuse and misery. But then again, everyone knows that the press (with the sole, shining exception of myself, obviously) is made up of lying scumbuckets who would gladly swap their souls for a racy headline. In an era of reporting B52 bombers found on the moon and Freddie Starr eating someone’s hamster nobody with any sense believes their newspaper anymore. A far greater problem is simple ignorance. People think of residential or nursing care and they think of the smell of pee, over-boiled cabbage and spike lavender. It ain’t like that anywhere that you and I would go to and it hasn’t been for a long time. But it was once, God knows, and folk memory persists. How do you fight that down? Hey, it’s easy. We’re already on the right track and simple pleasures will see us through. I come from a generation that knows what it wants for its old age, living in care, at home or whatever. I’m a man of simple tastes: I want a lot of beer (available at all times), to make love in private - masturbation if no one will have me - laughter and music. I want to be treated like a human being, with dignity, freedom and active encouragement to pursue my own interests. Say, watching cricket, my religious beliefs and contact with my family, for starters. And I want to be indulged when I’m out of sorts, sick as a dog and fed-up with the world. It happens. Leaving me in bed for a bit is generally a good idea. Well, we’re in, aren’t we? Any home that isn’t is getting it badly wrong. Any home that is, is waiting for the world to catch up. And the world will catch up. We just need to make it a bit clearer. Put up banners saying: ‘Love Made Here’. ‘Beer Available Always’. ‘Freedom!’ Hang out more flags, brothers and sisters. We have work to do. Christopher Manthorp is director of older people’s services for EPIC, part of the Circle Anglia Group. He is writing in a personal capacity 05/08/2008 Doomed? Surely you jest Our columnist thinks that residential care isn’t dying, it just needs some tender loving care. 30/06/2008 How pros can learn from carers Carers know best more often than we think, says Christopher Manthorp. 03/06/2008 How lunch can be a positive force for change A visit to Northern Ireland gives Christopher Manthorp cause for optimism and dismay. 06/05/2008 When the spirit moves Christopher Manthorp sings the praises of care homes offering a spiritual dimension. 01/04/2008 The pressure of the flesh Christopher Manthorp gives his forthright views on sex and sexuality. 05/03/2008 More than just a trip to Blackpool Christopher Manthorp talks about his surprise at how simple pleasures win out for residents. 15/01/2008 Cheers and boos for the year ahead Lots to cheer, but lots to boo, too - Christopher Manthorp assesses the year ahead |
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