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Age Concern’s new book endorsed by actor Richard Briers, Find the Right Care Home, can help older people, family or carers to consider all the options to weigh up when considering a move into a care home.

In a survey, of the 2,416 people who responded, 64% either disagreed with (39%) or were neutral (24%) about the statement “I know enough about arranging care and support to be able to do it for myself or a relative or friend” while only 35% agreed. The “Lifestage” research study was commissioned by Age Concern England, managed by Age Concern Research Services and was developed, conducted and analysed by the market research agency BMRB. The survey was based on a self-completion questionnaire mailed to a sample of more than 2,500 people aged 45+.

Choosing a care home is an important decision, often made at a crisis point such as after an accident or an illness. Family members or carers may feel guilty about making the suggestion that a loved one may not be coping on their own. Because people do not know what to look for in choosing a good care home and it can be difficult to get the information needed to make the best choice, this process can be more stressful than it needs to be. Knowing what to do and what to look for can be a huge relief to both those needing to move into a care home and their carers.

Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern said, “Moving into a care home can be a difficult time for an older person and their family. This process is hindered by the fact that many people find the care system overly complicated and daunting and because they can’t get information they need.

“This book will help people to make choices, but more needs to be done by care providers to offer clear and reliable information. Our Big Q campaign about care reform is calling for clarity so that people can get straightforward information about what kind of care services are on offer and how people can get to use them.”

Find the Right Care Home is written by two experts who have both professional and personal experience of needing to find a care home – Rosemary Hurtley and Julia Burton-Jones. It is illustrated by Punch cartoonist David Langdon – the oldest working illustrator in the UK at 95 years old – and the foreword is written by actor Richard Briers.

In the foreword, Richard Briers writes: “When looking ahead to our later years, most of us don’t plan to spend time in a care home. In fact, it may be something we aim to avoid. … This book is about turning an experience we may fear into a positive choice.

“This book is born out of personal experience and the realisation that it is not a one size fits all process. It will help you personalise the choices to meet the needs of your family member or friend and make the best decision possible.

Review copies of Find the Right Care Home can be ordered from Claire Milloy at Age Concern England. Please contact Claire Milloy on 020 8765 7458.

Book details: Find the Right Care Home by Rosemary Hurtley and Julia Burton-Jones; illustrated by David Langdon - 220 pp; Price: £9.99
Publication date: 1 Sept 2008
ISBN: 978-0-86242-428-2

BGS Newsletter, Oct 2008
Issue 18 ISSN 1748-6343 18