Re: High Cost of Care Homes
Originally Posted by
Missy
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Im not going to say the the care homes aren't in it to make money
So lets say a care home with 40 residents
All needing round the clock care - three shifts of 8 hours with say 10 care workers on each shift
so thats 30 care workers wages a day, all above NMW plus unsociable hours etc
Then add the chefs and kitchen staff
Cleaners
Admin and clerical
Then a bus/ ambulance and driver
Accountant
And whatever else staff required
Then we have the building maintenance and insurance
We have the insurance of all staff and residents
We have gas, electric and water
We have food
We have entertainment
And probably a lot more added to that list that I cant think of
I cant imagine that running a care home is cheap
Actually Missy, I agree.
And may I also add to your list the domestics and laundry workers, who sometimes have to wash/clean some pretty unsavoury bedding and clothing!
The gardener, and the wages staff too.
Where I worked was a private place. They had beautiful gardens, even a small lake with swans on it.
This meant they also had to pay a gardener.
This chap also grew a lot of the fruit and veg for the kitchens too, and kept the grounds immaculate.
There was also Bingo, sing alongs, quizzes, and talks.
Visitors were welcomed any time, any day, and could come and have meals with their relatives too, if they let the kitchen know in advance.
They were good girls there, and it was a happy place.
Then one day, it was my own Mum's turn to need care.
I had been looking after her for seven years before she became unsafe on her own any more.
I used to take her shopping every week till she could no longer go, then I did it for her. I did her banking, sorted her medication, drove her to all her medical appointments, did her washing, and her garden - and loads more besides.
She eventually became seriously ill, she was dying.
I couldn't move her in with me as I hadn't got a spare room I could kit out.
Then she had a bad fall and I had to get her to hospital. They kept her there and wouldn't release her unless she had day and night care.
I had previously tried to arrange night care for her, but Mum refused to let the poor lady in!
It was a nightmare, I didn't have a spare room, and I couldn't move in with her either. She was desperate to get out of the hospital, but they wouldn't release her unless I sorted a care home.
Because of my previous work, I felt I knew what things to look for in finding her the right place to move into.
I visisted 3 places. Two of those I wouldn't let her go to.
The third one was a BUPA place.
The management were very good. The carers were lovely.
The meals were good and other residents were happy - I checked that. They had lots of entertainment, and a hairdresser came weekly, the doctor visited and also a chiropodist and even an optician.
They used to even let me take the dogs in to visit her, as she always loved animals and had lost her old dog
.
It was nearby, so easy for me to pop in to sit with her most days, and every Sunday I would stay and have dinner with her.
If it was warm, we would sit in the gardens and have a cup of tea and talk outside in the sunshine.
I can't remember the prices now, but it would have been worth it to know she was safe and cared for 24/7.
Much as I loved my Mum, I couldn't have done all that by myself.
Good places are worth their weight in gold, the bad ones - well, steer well clear.