When the Unacceptable Becomes the Norm

Book excerpt: When the Unacceptable Becomes the Norm is an essential guide for any person looking to place a relative in care or already in the care system. Few subjects have aroused public concern since the millennium more than care for the elderly in the UK, and in particular residential care homes for the elderly. With a rapidly aging population this is a major issue for both national and local government, as well as a personal problem for innumerable people finding themselves in this situation. The media have widely reported the shortcomings of care homes for the elderly and in particular the many cases of abuse, neglect and malpractice. By definition, such people are often frail, in poor health and are always very vulnerable. The book seeks to provide advice for the increasing number of people looking for a suitable home for their elderly loved ones, based on both long personal experience and detailed research.The advice on how to choose a care home, and then how to keep an elderly loved one safe and well there, is practical and down to earth. The author also tells the story of his own battle to protect his mother and his experience dealing with the many outside agencies concerned with care for the elderly, including their many shortcomings and what lessons he learnt along the way.