Help us to help others share their experience of care homes

Friday, 27 July 2012

Human rights organisation, FreshTies, have launched the ‘Care to Visit’ campaign, which was initiated in response to a Mature Times reader getting in touch.

The reader was he was frustrated by what is happening to his father in a care home and was looking for the help and support of others in similar situations.

FreshTies have suggested an Independent Volunteer Care Home Visitors in response to other families contacting them about the lack of accountability concerning care homes, and how they are being treated.

One concerned family member is John (his real name is protected). His ongoing experiences with an elderly care home has highlighted the inadequacy of the complaints process, and drawn attention to the neglect which residents continue to suffer.

FreshTies propose Independent Volunteer Care Home Visitors as a confidential listening ear/advocate for residents, and family members.

The Volunteer reports would provide a publicly accessible central log of concerns (as well as good practice).

The resulting information would provide a basis for investigation and connect individuals who otherwise feel helpless and frustrated with the seeming lack of accountability.

Tell us about your experience of care homes.

No official statistics exist about care homes.  So the map is a first step to building a picture about:

• The issues and type of issues.
• Where the well run care homes are.

This will also help:

• Connect families in any one area who feel on their own.
• Help gather evidence about individual care homes.
• Ensure that public bodies are well aware of what people are saying.
• Help organisations like FreshTies take action.

FreshTies are not naming care homes. They are not highlighting any information about the person who gives us the information (good or bad).

They will contact the person to talk to them, before they add to the map as part of validation.

Any information you give FreshTies for the map will be anonymous and kept completely confidential. Read more: the mapping exercise.

Tell us your experience by clicking the link or images below.

Tell us about well run care homes

Tell us about your issues with care homes

Photos by Sara Yun