Shock survey reveals the elderly are living in fear of being put into care homes

The elderly have lost faith in care homes and have never been so terrified of being placed in one, according to a poll of the over 60s.

The disturbing results follow our revelations police are being called to deal with confused dementia sufferers in care homes with some even being shackled by officers.

We have now launched a campaign calling for a dramatic overhaul of the care sector.Support our Care Home campaignOur important step comes on the heels of shock nationwide Survation poll which reveals more than one million Scots are concerned they won’t be looked after properly if they need to go into a care home.

Our exclusive survey of people aged over 60 found a whopping 86% of people are worried about care home standards.

More than a third said they’d had a negative experience of care homes while more than half were worried about how they’ll afford to pay for their care.

Backing our campaign, Dot Gibson, of the National Pensioners Convention, said: “Every week another horror story emerges about how older people are receiving poor care in the community. Social care across the UK is in crisis. There’s chronic lack of funding, services are being rationed or means-tested and the quality of care is sometimes shocking. The staff are also often poorly paid and badly trained and around a million older people are suffering as a result.

“It’s now vital older people are given extra legal protection to safeguard their rights and dignity when being cared for in hospital, a nursing home or their own homes.”

Judy Downey, chair of the Relatives and Residents Association, said the results of our poll were worrying.

She said: “A few years ago the calls we received were split between people asking about their entitlement to pay for care and concerns about standards. Now 75% are about concerns. People are very worried. There have been some gross failings.”

Eileen Chubb, founder and director of campaign group Compassion in Care, agreed urgent action is needed as “things have never been so bad”.

She added: “There are good homes out there but far too few.”

This month we revealed the shocking story of Alistair Hunter, 58, who was left covered in bruises after police were called to the care home where he was a resident. His wife Frances claims he was restrained by cops using fast straps which are normally used to shackle criminals after he became agitated.

Following our story, The Sunday Post was inundated with calls and emails from families complaining about the failings of companies and organisations tasked with caring for their loved ones.

Two families claimed their loved ones, who suffer from dementia, were similarly restrained by police. Another said a family member had been neglected and that staff had failed to feed or hydrate them properly. We can also reveal that following our story police met with Frances as she looks for a full explanation of events.

Frances said: “I thought what happened to Alastair was unique. I can’t believe others have had similar experiences. I fully support the Sunday Post’s campaign and hope it can help end this barbaric practise and improve the care sector. I have met with police and had the opportunity to ask questions and get some answers and I’ve been overwhelmed by the support from people who have read my story.”

The Sunday Post has led the way highlighting substandard care home standards. In September, we revealed residents have been seriously injured or died in a catalogue of safety failings.

People have died after leaping or falling from insecure windows while one resident was left wheelchair bound after they fell down stairs after being drugged.

There are also numerous cases of people who have suffocated when they got trapped between their mattress and safety rails. The details, provided by the Health and Safety Executive, showed more than 100 companies have been slated for failings.

In addition, a report by the Care Inspectorate this year showed more than 100 home-care services for the elderly have been given low ratings for how they are run. And in one of the most shocking reports, a BBC Panorama investigation caught staff verbally and physically abusing old folk.

Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said it is not right that anyone is worrying about the care they might receive.

He said: “Older people deserve care homes in which they receive support and retain their sense of freedom and dignity. There must be opportunities for them to remain active, to express themselves creatively and be mentally stimulated, while being supported by motivated, qualified and well-rewarded staff. It is wider than just quality of care, it is about quality of life.”

Clare Lally, Scottish Labour’s carers’ champion, gave her backing to our campaign which touched a personal note with her given her grandfather had dementia. She said: “It shouldn’t be a fight to expect care homes to be giving better care.”

Judy Downey, who wants the government to ensure care home staff are properly trained and qualified, added: “We can’t carry on expecting to get care on the cheap. We don’t value our older people but it’s time government and society started taking this issue more seriously.”

More than 1,000 people aged over 60 were surveyed for our poll.

A Scottish Government spokesman said homes are subject to annual, or more frequent, unannounced inspections to address concerns and it is committed to providing free personal care.

Below are the questions and responses in a Survation poll conducted by The Sunday Post which surveyed the views of 1,000 people in Scotland aged 60 and over.

Have you ever spent time in a care home for the elderly, either as a visitor or a resident?

Yes – 55%

No – 45%

How would your rate your overall experience of care homes for the elderly?

Net positive – 45%

Net negative – 34%

Neither positive nor negative – 21%

Which of the following statements is closest to your opinion?

Older people with assets or savings above a certain amount should pay for their own residential care – 35%

Residential care for older people should always be funded by the state – 55%

Don’t know – 10%

Do you think all care homes for the elderly should be state-run, privately-run or a combination of both?