EHRC study reveals elderly homecare neglects human rights
12:04 - 29/06/2011
EHRC study reveals elderly homecare n...
Findings released by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have revealed that the basic human rights of elderly people are being disregarded in the provision of home based care.
Significant problems in the home care and support system in England have been uncovered by the Commission as part of a major inquiry into how well the system is protecting the human rights of people over the age of 65.
As it gathers evidence for a full report due to be published in November, the EHRC has cited many worrying examples, such as elderly people left in bed for long periods of time between care visits, people left in soiled beds or clothes for extended periods and many people not receiving the assistance they need with eating, drinking and attending to their personal hygiene. The evidence was drawn from several sources, including elderly people, care organisations, local authorities, primary care trusts, and home care staff.
The EHRC has now put forward their concerns to the Government, detailing five main factors contributing to the poor standards in home based care. They have cited the brief time allocated to homecare visits, the lack of control older people have over the scheduling of visits, the inadequate care and neglect that many people experience, the lack of staff awareness and training and a high staff turnover rate.
In some cases, just 15 minutes is allocated to each home visit and such a small allowance of time means that many essential tasks, such as washing or cooking, are either rushed or not carried out at all. This issue is compounded by the fact that many older people have no control over when the visit takes place, resulting in some people being helped into bed at 5pm and then not helped to get up again until 10am the next day. The standard of homecare that is received is often inadequate, with some cases of neglect being reported.
A major issue for the homecare system is the absence of a thorough training process which focuses on dignity in care. Many older people feel that that their dignity and privacy is not respected, and this has a huge impact on them. The high staff turnover within the homecare system also means that some people see a vast number of different carers, with one woman reporting having been visited by over 30 different carers in a two-week period. These carers may have to perform intimate tasks, including washing and dressing people.
The EHRC proposes that the full extent of the human rights breaches has not yet been uncovered because people are afraid to complain, or do not know how to, and have very low expectations about the quality of homecare to begin with. They are now exploring what form of protection and support is provided to whistleblowers who wish to expose poor practice.
Perry Leeks, Managing Director at First Response, says: “There are obviously many issues that need to be urgently addressed following the EHRC’s report. However, it is clear that the lack of staff training, particularly in regards to Dignity in Care, Person Centred Care and Positive Communication, is having a big impact on the standard of care provided.
“All care workers should understand the person centred approach to care practice, and the basis for supporting individuals in a way that respects their dignity, privacy and individuality. This is really important for a person’s sense of wellbeing. In addition to this, providing staff members with training can help them to feel valued and is key to recruiting and retaining top quality workers. The home care system may benefit from ensuring that time is taken to continue the professional development of care workers and offering them many opportunities for further training.
“First Response Training can offer courses in Dignity in Care, Person Centred Care, Positive Communication, as well as many others such as Equality and Diversity in Care, Managing Challenging Behaviour, Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults and Moving and Handling of People. For workers providing home based care, our Lone Working and Personal Safety course may also prove helpful.”
For more information on our suite of care sector training courses, please call First Response today on free phone 0800 310 2300.
Significant problems in the home care and support system in England have been uncovered by the Commission as part of a major inquiry into how well the system is protecting the human rights of people over the age of 65.
As it gathers evidence for a full report due to be published in November, the EHRC has cited many worrying examples, such as elderly people left in bed for long periods of time between care visits, people left in soiled beds or clothes for extended periods and many people not receiving the assistance they need with eating, drinking and attending to their personal hygiene. The evidence was drawn from several sources, including elderly people, care organisations, local authorities, primary care trusts, and home care staff.
The EHRC has now put forward their concerns to the Government, detailing five main factors contributing to the poor standards in home based care. They have cited the brief time allocated to homecare visits, the lack of control older people have over the scheduling of visits, the inadequate care and neglect that many people experience, the lack of staff awareness and training and a high staff turnover rate.
In some cases, just 15 minutes is allocated to each home visit and such a small allowance of time means that many essential tasks, such as washing or cooking, are either rushed or not carried out at all. This issue is compounded by the fact that many older people have no control over when the visit takes place, resulting in some people being helped into bed at 5pm and then not helped to get up again until 10am the next day. The standard of homecare that is received is often inadequate, with some cases of neglect being reported.
A major issue for the homecare system is the absence of a thorough training process which focuses on dignity in care. Many older people feel that that their dignity and privacy is not respected, and this has a huge impact on them. The high staff turnover within the homecare system also means that some people see a vast number of different carers, with one woman reporting having been visited by over 30 different carers in a two-week period. These carers may have to perform intimate tasks, including washing and dressing people.
The EHRC proposes that the full extent of the human rights breaches has not yet been uncovered because people are afraid to complain, or do not know how to, and have very low expectations about the quality of homecare to begin with. They are now exploring what form of protection and support is provided to whistleblowers who wish to expose poor practice.
Perry Leeks, Managing Director at First Response, says: “There are obviously many issues that need to be urgently addressed following the EHRC’s report. However, it is clear that the lack of staff training, particularly in regards to Dignity in Care, Person Centred Care and Positive Communication, is having a big impact on the standard of care provided.
“All care workers should understand the person centred approach to care practice, and the basis for supporting individuals in a way that respects their dignity, privacy and individuality. This is really important for a person’s sense of wellbeing. In addition to this, providing staff members with training can help them to feel valued and is key to recruiting and retaining top quality workers. The home care system may benefit from ensuring that time is taken to continue the professional development of care workers and offering them many opportunities for further training.
“First Response Training can offer courses in Dignity in Care, Person Centred Care, Positive Communication, as well as many others such as Equality and Diversity in Care, Managing Challenging Behaviour, Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults and Moving and Handling of People. For workers providing home based care, our Lone Working and Personal Safety course may also prove helpful.”
For more information on our suite of care sector training courses, please call First Response today on free phone 0800 310 2300.
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