ARE YOU ONE OF THE SANDWICH GENERATION? In 1957, Harold McMillan told the British public ‘we’d never had it so good’ and it was true we were enjoying better health and prosperity. Inevitably, this led to longer life spans, and the phenomena of the sandwich generation. At the beginning of the 20th century, around 6% of people in their sixties still had one parent living. Today the figure is around 50%. At the same time, in 2000, 52% of young adults were living with their parents, and this figure is still rising. This has led to a situation where couples coming up to retirement are caring for ageing parents, while still supporting their adult children. This is the sandwich generation, worrying about financing their own retirement, their parents and their children. While many 80 year olds are still hale and hearty, there are many who need constant care and attention, resulting in huge stress levels for those responsible for them. If you’re one of these, it’s time to take stock and explore all avenues. which could help.
PLAN AHEAD
The Directgov website contains information about public services all in one place.
Difficult as it may be, you need to discuss issues with your parents. Discuss their assets, check with them where they want to live, and who should make legal and medical decisions if they are no longer capable of handling their affairs.
Age Concern and Help the Aged have combined to become Age UK, which provides a huge body of information and advice to older people and their relatives.
The decision of where they wish to live may be taken out of your hands, if they reach a stage when they need full time care. At this stage, it’s important to find a nursing home with staff who treat their elderly residents with respect, and which provides a pleasant environment for your parents to live out their remaining years. This is easier said than done. First you need to research available government help to fund care, and ensure that your parents are correctly assessed to ensure they’re getting all the funding they are entitled to. Age Concern provides a number of detailed booklets on this issue. Take full advantage of your computer. Search websites for ratings, send for brochures, and most importantly of all, pay several visits to possible nursing homes. In an effort to help families looking for nursing homes, a new online system is planned, to be published on a website which will also disclose official inspection reports. Nursing homes will be graded according to star ratings, Trip Advisor style.
ORGANISATIONS TO EXPLORE NHS Choices provides a comprehensive health information service on finding and using NHS services in England. 46
CARE IN THE HOME It may be that care in the home is the preferred option, and this is where you need to spend time making sure that all available help from your local council is fully explored, and a correct assessment of necessary care is arrived at. Check out the Care Quality Commission. This is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. It registers care services that meet standards and make constant inspections to check that these standards are kept and take action if standards fall. Direct Payments are a Government initiative designed to give people the freedom to purchase their own care and support, so since 2002 all Social Services departments offer the option of a Direct Payment to people who receive a social care and support service. Following an assessment by their local Social Services the person receiving the direct payments can use the money for different types of services. These include: • Personal care and support • Day care (including domestic help) • ‘Mixed’ packages of support • Short-term residential care • Items of equipment
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