Covid-19: A Catalyst for Change in Adult Social Care?
Has Covid-19 acted as a catalyst for change in adult social care?
How quickly can we change? – Will this determine how well we cope with new public health pressures and evolving demographic trends?
Let’s look at the first question. Well, yes, Covid-19 has caused huge disruption and ultimately uncovered a lot of flaws in antiquated systems.
Is the current social care system still fit for purpose mid and post-pandemic?
A call for change
The mother of invention is now a necessity in my opinion, and it can’t wait.
We’ve seen a wide range of different shifts in 2020, in business and in people’s lives. Those who got to grips with their change in situation found a way forward, those who didn’t suffered. Many businesses adapted fast and moved online where possible, others innovated and developed new products or even entire new operations.
It’s now vital that the adult social care industry moves with the times too, and quickly to protect the lives of the vulnerable and their freedoms at the same time.
Change isn’t easy, especially within Government and large bureaucratic organisations – but failure to change and adapt can be catastrophic, not just for these organisations but for all the people and the public that they represent.
If we look at the current situation and the countries that handled the coronavirus outbreak initially most effectively, they all acted fast, they implemented extensive measures, and they adopted clear-cut and concise instruction. Those who moved slowly, acted more indecisively, and left things unclear, suffered more.
Adult social care: what’s needed?
We have an ageing population, increasing pressures on conventional social care measures, increasing costs of residential care, and the ramping up of infection control measures.
Both external and internal factors are at play. Often these factors are at conflict with each other – the care people want versus the policies set out by Government.
The Government and local authorities are stuck in an outdated mode of social care – which is putting people at risk and denying choice.
The Covid-19 health crisis has revealed staggering shortages in the current care system to cope with vast numbers of already vulnerable people who have then become ill because of the pandemic.
As difficult as this year has been for the vulnerable and all those working in adult social care who have risked their own health and wellbeing to care for others, we now have the chance to use the lessons learnt as a catalyst for positive change.
The powers that be need to analyse the situation and use it to help identify and assess potential risks both ongoing now and in the future, then let this knowledge guide them to better policies and practices when it comes to future community care.
The outcomes should include ensuring continuity of care, improving coordination between services, addressing who is responsible for what, and balancing values and care with people’s health and freedoms.
The role of live-in care
Investment into more innovative solutions has a positive ROI and improved outcomes for the health and wellbeing of individuals.
We have the perfect storm at the moment of underpaid and overworked social workers, a huge rise in the demand for care, residential care homes being the default recommendation to families, and a lack of understanding in the community of the types of care available.
A funding support system that is biased towards residential care homes compounds these issues and goes against the choices of families who want their loved and vulnerable relatives to continue living at home whilst getting the care they need. This is another typical case of external factors dictating internal values.
It’s time we gave people in the community the education they need on the types of care available, whilst bringing some accountability to the Government and local health authorities when they are shaping new policies and procedures.
Residential care homes are not the only option when a vulnerable person needs more care. You and your loved ones do have the choice to stay in your own home whilst getting the care you need. Live-in care is a viable option. It’s now an affordable level of freedom for most, and it’s my job to bring this to your attention and that of the high-level decision makers within the social care industry.
What is live-in care?
Live-in care, as the name suggests, means a carer will move in to live with you or your relative at home. This is the most complete form of care, offering the best of care along with continuing freedom to live life independently.
Live-in care is also a perfect solution should you need to arrange care quickly: after an accident, a fall, a new medical diagnosis, or because it’s the safest form of care during a pandemic!
Not only does live-in care provide care at home around the clock, it can enhance lives too. Live-in care is about companionship and security. Never has this been truer than of late with the Covid-19 pandemic hitting the care sector particularly hard. By the very nature of this service, live-in carers have managed to protect their elderly clients in their own homes throughout this most challenging and worrying time.
At Promedica24 we can act fast to provide you with quick and convenient live-in care services when you need us. You can find out more about our service here.
Want to know more?
It’s imperative to us that you know your choices. It’s imperative to us that we keep pushing for the changes that we believe in. To protect lives and to enhance lives.
I hope that this piece has highlighted some important points for you to help you understand more about what’s going on in the world of adult social care, and that I’ve managed to give you more choice should you or a loved one need care during this pandemic.
You can find out more about our live-in care services today by calling me directly on 01254 375023, or you can email me at [email protected].
Stay safe, keep well.
-Gary Derbyshire, regional partner (North Yorkshire & Lancashire), Promedica24
