The Independent Care Group has backed a major new study which revealed that thousands of people thrive in care and nursing homes.
And it has called on the Government to make sure more people can enjoy the benefits residential care can bring.
My Home Life England carried out a major study of older people’s experiences of living in residential care.
Whilst it identified some challenges, it found many more benefits of living in a care home.
The Independent Care Group (ICG) has welcomed the report’s findings.
ICG Chair, Mike Padgham said: “We 100% support this report and welcome all efforts to get the message across that, for many, many thousands of people each year a move into a care or nursing home is not only the right thing to do, but is also the start of a new and exciting chapter in their lives.
“For all the reasons My Home Life England discovered, and many more, such residential care brings huge benefits in terms of happiness, security, physical and emotional wellbeing and the retention of mobility, independence and dignity.
“Of course there are challenges – any change of lifestyle brings challenges, but good care and nursing homes are well versed and experienced in helping residents and their families to overcome them.
“As a care provider organisation, we want people to know that there are many different care options available – from home care in a person’s own home, to assisted living in extra-care housing to care and nursing homes and many combinations and variations in between. All are aimed at keeping people well, safe, independent and content.
“The challenge for us as a country is to create an environment where people can access that care. We know there are, for example, 1.6m people who cannot get the care they need and we are campaigning to get that addressed by the Government.
“Our hope is that this report and many others like it will show the benefit of supporting and investing in adult social care in the future so that more people can enjoy the improved quality of life it can bring to older, vulnerable and disabled adults.”
The study found that, if conditions were right, people thrived in care homes in six ways: Relationally, by forming new friendships, and being part of a community; Securely, by feeling safe in their home; Healthily, by getting the right medical care and eating better; Actively, by getting the support to do the things they enjoy and stay active; With dignity, by getting help with personal care and Inclusively, by living in an environment where diversity is valued and respected.
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