Care is a right, not a privilege

The Problem
Elderly people, like my mother, are suffering due to a broken and underfunded care system. Quality of life care should be renamed, existence of life without care. No joined up conversations, no integration of care, which goes against the ethos of the care act in England and the The Health and Social care standards in Scotland. Quality of life for older individuals in the UK is being compromised as a result of rushed, impersonal care and a severe lack of resources. Too often, care is treated as a privilege, something that can be limited or withheld based on funding or availability, rather than a fundamental right guaranteed to everyone.

Here are the critical issues at play:

Short Staffing and Overworked Carers: Carers are often stretched thin, with visits lasting as little as 7-15 minutes. They don’t have enough time to ensure that basic needs are met, like feeding, hydration, medication, and meaningful human interaction. What happened to the push for 30 minutes for attending each client?
Underfunded Care Services: While the demand for elderly care grows, funding continues to be insufficient. This means fewer carers, inadequate facilities, and limited resources, all of which contribute to substandard care.
Lack of Integration and Coordination: Gaps in communication between health professionals, social care workers, and families leave many elderly people without cohesive, reliable care. This leads to inconsistent support and increases the likelihood of neglect and deterioration in health.
Care should never be seen as a luxury or an afterthought. It is a basic human right—one that should ensure dignity, respect, and a quality life for all.
1. Immediate Increase in Funding for Elderly Care
To ensure that elderly care is a right, not a privilege, there must be immediate investment in the social care sector. This includes:

Hiring more care workers and improving their pay and working conditions to reduce burnout and increase retention.
Allocating funds to ensure that care visits are adequate—longer visits where carers can properly support elderly individuals with their physical, emotional, and social needs.
Ensuring that care homes and home care providers have adequate resources, including medication management tools, assistive devices, and other necessary supplies.
2. Reform Care Standards to Reflect Dignity and Well-being
Care plans must not just meet basic physical needs—they must promote well-being. This means:

Longer care visits: Care providers should spend more time with elderly individuals to ensure they receive comprehensive care—including help with eating, hydration, medication, and companionship.
Accountability in Care: Carers must document and report accurate, detailed notes about the care provided, and the care system must be monitored to ensure compliance with the established standards.
3. Full Integration of Health and Social Care Services
Care is most effective when health and social services work together. We must push for:

Shared care plans that connect doctors, nurses, social workers, and carers. This ensures coordinated support, so elderly people receive consistent care.
Seamless transitions from hospital to home, with social care services stepping in immediately to support recovery and prevent hospital readmissions.
4. Strengthening Legislation to Ensure Rights
We need stronger legal protections to ensure that elderly people are not deprived of care due to cost-saving measures or mismanagement. This means:

Ensuring that laws like the Care Act 2014 (in England) and the Social Care (Self-Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 are fully enforced.
Regular reviews of elderly care systems to ensure that human rights are upheld, including the right to dignity in care.
5. Support Family Caregivers
Family members who act as primary caregivers are often left unsupported and overwhelmed. The solution is to:

Offer financial assistance or respite care options for family carers, recognizing the significant emotional and physical burden they bear.
Provide training and support for family caregivers to ensure they have the tools to provide proper care and to reduce burnout.
Call to Action:
Care is a Right, Not a Privilege—and it’s time for us to demand the change we need. This campaign isn’t just about highlighting the failures in the system; it’s about ensuring every elderly person receives the care and dignity they deserve.

Here’s how you can help make that change:

Sign the petition to demand increased funding for elderly care and reform of current care systems.
Write to your MP or MSP and demand that care is treated as a right, not a privilege.
Join the conversation on social media with the hashtag #CareIsARight to spread awareness and get more people involved.
Support your local carers by advocating for better policies, pay, and conditions for those who provide essential care.
Together, we can ensure that older people are treated with the respect, compassion, and dignity they deserve. Care is a right, not a privilege—and it’s time to make that a reality for everyone.