Put Out Elderly First

[lindapalmara]

I'm sure Foreign Aid has been discussed many times but now it is being suggested we raise Councul Tax to pay for elderly care isn't it time to look at the foreign aid to Despots and expensive "Consultants"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-4027300/DAILY-MAIL-COMMENT-Time-elderly-foreign-despots.html

The Council Tax method has at least two major flaws. First that it will raise more revenue in wealthier areas whereas in poorer areas many people don't pay Council tax and I also don't trust Councils to use use the money sells for that.

[dannyk13]

Linda, why do you want to put out the elderly? :-)

[naomi24]

I'm not sure what we're paying this bloke for.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4024370/Boris-Johnson-knocks-bid-Blair-funding-taxpayer-s-bill-ex-PM-hits-3MILLION-year.html

[mikey4444]

Linda...your question is poorly focused.

The care sector is in complete crisis. No one now doubts that. Care homes are going bankrupt and closing on a regular basis. In some of these homes, there is widespread cruelty going on, as a glance at any newspaper will tell you. Care workers are being paid a pittance to look after increasingly larger amounts of our elderly population.

Lots of these workers are not from Britain, and there is no real idea or agreement what will happen to these people when we finally leave the EU.

The whole system needs to be overhauled with immediate effect. Tinkering with funding just won't do.....we need root and branch reorganisation.

[RATTER15]

Well said mikey!

[naomi24]

//Care homes are going bankrupt and closing on a regular basis. //

Do you have a link to support that?

[mikey4444]

Ratter....glad you agree and you are in a very good position to know !

This isn't a party-political issue. People are living much longer than they did ever one generation ago, and its causing us huge funding problems. We need, as a nation, to recognise that we have a problem, and get around a table and find a solution.

But make no bones about it......funding is at the heart of this issue, As a nation, we will have to decide where our priorities are for the future. More and more of us are facing a very sad end to our lives and its something younger people need to realise.

[dannyk13]

MIkey, you didn't answer naomi's question at 09.02.

[RATTER15]

Naomii, I have witnessed it myself, and the ones that are still open, many are only taking private paying residents.

Some of the ones that are still open are having to run short staffed and standards cut to the bare bones. Its a very unfortunate situation for the residents and also for the carers that are being rushed off their feet with no time to adequately care for their clients.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36200855

[naomi24]

Mikey, No link then.

Actually, you're deviating from the question which is should we review foreign aid, etc., in support of care for our own elderly people? I'd say 'Yes'. What's your answer to that question?

[ladybirder]

Seems like a no brainer to me

[lindapalmara]

SorryDanny, typo. Should read "Put OUR Elderley First!! Will answer other comments later, my iPad is playing up!

[naomi24]

Ratter, these are private commercial enterprises. If some are struggling you need to look at the reasons outlined in your link. That said, what is your answer to the question?

[mikey4444]

Danny....the evidence for bankruptcy of care homes is easily found on the 'net :::::

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36200855

http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2016/04/26/rise-care-homes-going-business/

https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/health/record-number-care-homes-going-bust/

These are effectively private, money-making enterprises, in the same way as any other business. They owe no allegiance to their patients/residents whatsoever.

inadequate funding by local councils is the one of the prime causes of their failures.

I would contest that this is no way to look after millions of elderly people, in the last years of their lives.

[RATTER15]

We should of course be looking after our own first!!

[mikey4444]

Danny...I never respond to that poster at 09:02, along with a small list of other people but I am quite happy to respond to you !

[lindapalmara]

Yes, I was the Foreign Aid that was the focus of my post. Mikey was stating what we already know. Waiting for the thread Mikey

[naomi24]

Mikey, it’s true that you have neither the courtesy nor the courage to respond to me, but you very clearly read my posts so see the one to Ratter at 09.24. You said “As a nation, we will have to decide where our priorities are for the future”. That is precisely what lindapalmara is attempting to address – and as yet, you have failed to respond to that too. Another one who's too difficult?

[chiaroscuro]

Why demand a link when anybody following the news is aware of the situation?
Anyway, here's a link...
https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/health/record-number-care-homes-going-bust/

[dannyk13]

Linda, I am not sure that diverting money from the foreign aid budget would provide enough for what is needed to keep up support for the elderly.When Brexit occurs we could use some of the billions we are now paying to the EU.

[mikey4444]

Linda...of course we should put our own people first, but we are a wealthy country....can't we help all sorts of people ?

I agree with you about your doubts concerning Council Tax, but if the much needed funds are not to come from local Councils, where is it going to come from ?

Successive Governments have refused to take the issue of care for older people seriously for many years, and there is no sign that it is doing so now.