ADULT CARE HOMES

Protection of Vulnerable Adults in Care Homes



Protection of Vulnerable Adults in Care Homes

Introduction

The growing incidence of elder abuse and severe fissures in the multi generational family or household has forced many older persons to abandon their family home; some of them have also been “pushed out” and have thus been left shelter-less. Most urban areas appear to have growing incidence of cases of abandoned elderly. A new culture of “peer group participation” being attempted by the aged persons appears to be taking roots in many parts of the world. Old Age Homes of various types are rapidly becoming a choice for many “abandoned”, “left out” or “neglected” old persons with or without survival resources. The vision of “alternate shelter” for older persons, as enunciated in both national and global policy frameworks, includes Group housing for older persons, No physical barriers to mobility, Health care and nutritional support, Development of age-integrated communities, Recreation services, Age-friendly, easy and safe accessibility to shopping complexes, community centres, parks and other services, and Provision of ramps and/or Lifts in vertical housing complexes.

Most developed countries have formulated public policy in regard to the minimum standards of services and care in various institutions for older persons including the Old Age Homes. These standards spell out requirement in terms of Physical facilities, Services, Activities, and Organization and Management. Old Age Homes have largely been located largely at two locations: Metropolitan Cities and, Tier-two Cities that have been known for their cool climate or that have religious/spiritual interest for the elderly. Old persons have preferred to live in Metropolitan Cities largely on account of the fact that these were their original work places, or that the younger members of their families reside in such places, or, for the better physical and social infrastructural status in such places. The Tier-two cities have usually been known as “retirement cities” either on account of their relatively cooler and pollution-free climate or account of their religious significance. The older persons are also a “class of consumers” in the “Age Care Industry” that is registering significant growth in the world. Such institutions are rapidly moving towards catering to what can be called a “total package of needs” of the older persons including quality shelter, services (including medical and non-medical), and activities. These institutions no longer remain confined to networking with healthcare institutions or service providers in a contractual basis; many institutions have built dispensaries, physio-therapy clinics and even long-term care units within their campuses.

There are three types of Old Age Homes based on the paying capacity of their potential and existing users. These include Homes that provide shelter/services and activities free of cost or with very low charges; that provide shelter, services and activities against payment of modest/medium monthly charges per month; and that provide shelter, services and activities on an ownership/lease basis with recurring maintenance costs with both refundable and non-refundable deposits(Wiener, 2004, pp 35).

Discussion

Old Ageing

Body functions, such as sight, hearing and mobility, are becoming impaired among the most ...