Once again elderly care has been placed in the spotlight.

This week we have seen a watchdog report showing that 4 out of 10 care homes are substandard.

As care homes are currently the most popular option for people who need care, this means that a huge part of our elderly population are not receiving the level of care they should.

Is this a logistical problem? A funding issue? Or is it an inherent part of our culture that elderly people’s needs are considered less important than other services. As our population ages, elderly voting power increases, though it does seem people over a certain age are overlooked, their issues swept under the carpet, and yet these short falls are regularly in the news. Is this indicative of a national twinge of guilt at our attitudes toward the aged? It appears other cultures in Europe and beyond have healthier attitudes toward the elderly or the ‘third age’ as they are referred to in France.Families come together to help the elderly, many move in with families, being embraced by younger generations. Perhaps we are not to blame, perhaps the increasing pressure on us to work longer hours, means we just don’t have the time to spare to look after our parents and grandparents at home. And if the care homes they go to are not able to look after them either? Then what are we to do? Once again we think that live in care provides a more familiar option. It allows one caring person in to the family who can care for mum or dad in their own home and be in direct contact with family members. They can be there on the end of the phone to let you know how everything is going and they’ll be there to welcome the family when it is time to visit. Saying this, there are some levels of care which can only be catered for in a nursing home but we feel more and more that most people would rather stay at home.