Taking Care of the Elderly - Essay Example

Taking Care of the Elderly Taking care of the elderly is one of the contemporary issues that have rocked the 21st century. Having the elderly at hand is one of the most important issues as they may not assist at the current times but their predecessors may come through later. Understanding the key issues of the organization comes in as imperative plan. The elderly society ought to gain reputation as one of the most important groups not only in the contemporary society but in the entire society as a whole. Going through the various perks of the issue comes in as a vital aspect when attempting to understand the matter. Moreover, this sets the foundation for recognition and appreciation of the role of the elderly in society. This can come from the fact that were it not for the elderly, we would be nowhere in society being as they gave birth to us. The case study is majorly about the elderly in society. Writing a reflective account on the same creates a basis for understanding the major issues that these people go through. It is important to understand that one of the contemporary issues regarding the elderly is the creation of elderly nursing homes. These homes are important from the fact that many people currently live very fast lives and are always up and working. Hard economic times have had people taking up different careers. This often has the people beyond 60 years lacking someone to take care of them at that age (Aveyard, 2007, 62). This has had people investing in nursing homes to take care of the elderly. This assists their kids in that they have a less burden when it comes to taking care of these people. One organization in particular is The Good Care Group in East London. This has assisted people of the province multitask and get alternative means of income generation. It is important to review the running of this organization in an attempt to gain the entire scope of the manner through which it is run (Carnwell, 2009, 114). The organization was established back in the year 2006. A section of business people came together and decided to start the organization seeing as people of that community were undergoing a lot of suffering, spending the days at home and not having anything reasonable to do. Without anything to do, the elderly used to remain unattended to at home. However, after the mentioned strategies outlined by the business people, the elderly of London finally got an establishment that they would rest and receive the quality and quantity care that they deserve in their fragile age (Cowan, 2009, 108). I find the organization advantageous to both teams. This is from the fact that the elderly are assured of quality health while the workers of the organization receive a lump sum amount of money from the family of the elderly or the pension money that the elderly have accumulated over their working years. Moreover, this comes in as a feedback to society seeing as the work of taking care of these people is an ethically upright task. During the first few years of operating in the organization, the administration spent a lot of money purchasing all the requirements such as beds. This is because the elderly at that age often take medication that may at times cause dizziness and consequently the requirement of beds (Beresford, 2007, 87). From this factor, the startup capital ensured that the families of the elderly paid a lot of money in order to sustain the high amount of spending involved. However, of the contemporary times the running costs of the organization have reduced drastically. This is because the establishment has already recovered the capital and no need to hustle people of that age. It is however important to also recognize that such an organization has to always have ready money just in case of anything. This is from the fact that an accident may happen in the organization consequently leading to many issues concerning insurance claims and long court processes. Without accounting for such risks, the organization might run out of funds and go bankrupt (Enos, 2007, 175). The running of the organization is carried out by a set of skilled and well-educated health officers and nurses. Professionalism is important when dealing with the health of a person, as there is no room for making blunders. When going through the hiring process of these professionals, a panel of people and the shareholders of the organization come together after availing time from their otherwise busy schedule. After several interviews and identifying with the credentials of all the potential employees, the administration take time and discuss amongst one another on the most promising candidate for the job. It is after this that they recall the now new hired employee and offers the portfolio and other requirements expected to be met by the workers in the organization (Devitt, 2007, 166). With visiting the institution, research elaborates on the learning of the importance of managing the elderly in society. Not only did I get enlightened on this, but also I got to spend time with the elderly in the organization. These people assisted me in getting to know the challenges that they face when at home and their views on the running of the organization. The few I met told me the assistance that the organization has provided them with seeing as some of their family members might have already neglected them, not appreciating the role that the elderly have plaid in making them what they are today (Engdahl, 2011, 201). Others do not neglect their family members but are otherwise caught up with a lot of work in their offices. At times, they might even lack to visit their parents in the nursing home for about three days in a week. This comes in as an extra cost imposed on them as the organization thus has to pay for the two meals of the day. It is also important to put into account the fact that they get to spend the night inside the organization consequently accumulating the extra cost of the boarding facilities (Gibelman, 2005, 56). The most important issue at hand is the care and watch out for the elderly in society. This is from the fact that people of all ages ought to receive the comfort that they desire. It is the right of everyone regardless of the employment position that they bear. However, the due process to go around this issue is having the right documentation to gain a position at the institution. The nursing career is one of the most appealing occupations. One not only gets a clear and hefty payment but also there is the feeling of purpose seeing as one assists another person benefit. The families of the elderly get to enjoy their work or occupation without any worries assured that their relative is in proper hands. With this, there is the development of the economy and the living standards of these people improve. Moreover, the social issues reduce and one remains jubilated (Leutz, 2005, 110). The main reason as to why I chose the given organization is because of the manner in which people in the contemporary society do not care about the elderly and very few times do business people decide to open up an organization through which these people can get advantage. Review of the organization ensures that people understand the importance of the elderly and the main reasons as to why they ought to receive the attention stated. Moreover, one gets to understand the role of the nurses and appreciate the work that these people carry out. Another reason as to why people ought to understand the organization is from the fact that people also get to invest in the stated sector. Investing in this sector ensures that the financial position of the organization is not at risk but rather in a position to assist the people that live below the poverty line (Hayes, 2004, 229). The issue at hand is one of the most sensitive in the 21st century. This is also from the manner in which the elderly in society play a keen roll in the development of various sectors in general. For example, the pharmaceutical industry is one of the sectors that benefits from the elderly in society. This is from the fact that these people are on constant medication in order for them to stay healthy given their fragile body systems. Moreover, they require the drugs in order for them to keep fit in terms of running and exercise which consequently has people understanding their day-to-day lives (Goode, 2000, 196). It is also imperative to go through the issue of data collection and the means through which I was able to collect all the variables. I got to data collection by visiting the centre and understanding the issues that these people go through on a daily basis. I visited around all the wings of the organization in an effort to remain calm and collected on the issues. I was also able to go through the internet and get information concerning the area. It is after this that I got to ask around the families of the elderly in the organization. Having these people understand the importance of the raw data collected in the organization (Ory, 2009, 77). After this collection, I managed to understand the real aspects of the organization. I was also able to get information from the administration of the organization. Learning about the date that the organization was established was some information that I acquired from the founders of the organization. The founders of the organization also told me about the charge rates at which they have their customers paying. I was also able to recognize the fact that they do not charge the same prize across all boards. The people are rather considerate and do not let the poor people suffer (Marmor, 2006, 302). I managed to learn a lot about not only the organization, but also myself. I got to understand the personal development of myself. I realized that I have a very kind heart and of the giving type. This I got to understand after I let myself spend the night in the organization committed to learning about the running of the organization. The major thing that led me to this conclusion is the fact that one of the elderly people in the organization seemed lonely and did not have his family members in London. The person was all the way from California and had been taken to the organization by his daughter who was working in Los Angeles. This is from the fact that the organization’s reputation precedes it (Morris, 2006, 212). The city of London as it stands is faced with great responsibility over its subjects. In this bracket lie people of all social status, all gender, instituted of the young, the middle aged, and the elderly. In this particular case scenario, the focus lies on the elderly in particular, as a social care issue. Individuals relevant to this category, mainly the old and elderly, closely monitored by their close relatives and friends, are direct subjects to social care responsibility, in the city of London (Magill, 2004, 78). In relevance to an elderly care organization, situated in East London, The Good Care Group, it is vivid that care for the elderly has come up to be an issue of social care. This is based on the fact and realization that, the decision made upon ones older future is of great concern among all relative individuals concerned, and one that tends to affect the whole family at large. It is further clear that, majority of this families tend to believe that the only option that they could result to, in matters concerning the wellbeing of their elder relatives, is enrollment and admission to a residential care home, such as one, The Good Care Group (Parsloe, 2010, 122). The decision resulted to may however stand all the chances of being the right one, but this should not overshadow that other options still lie unexposed. Apart from the fact that care for the elderly has virtually been translated to admission of one’s elderly to institutions for special care towards them, as opposed to bearing the social responsibility themselves, of caring for them. These same parents have made it possible for them to be in existence in the first place. In East London respectively, the elderly have literally been left in the hands of residential care homes. The reception of the elderly tends to grow in huge proportions from one year to the next (Roit, 2010, 99). Such residential care homes as The Good Care Group tend to satisfy most if at all not all the needs of majority of the elderly population in the city. As they stand, they tend to facilitate the admission of more clients every time, as they exhibit utmost efficiency in providing excellent social care services, particularly, in taking good care of their clients. This may include the use of strategic working procedures that ensure that the organization achieves its well-intended objectives (Phillips, 2001, 211). In a much similar way, such institutions serve a great deal of elderly people in London, who sit despised and abandoned by their family, either out of will, or as a result of tragedy such as death. These particular individuals find home comfort under such organizations. This is because, they find the much desired love and care here, as opposed to the lonely and unfortunate life, that one would lea while out there. This gives the city of London a huge boost, in terms of the good well-being of members of the society, lifting the public image of London as a city (Zwanenberg, 2010, 58). These organizations, run institutions that provide the peace of mind highly required, and recommended, for the proper living of the elderly admitted in this homes. The elderly are subjected to leaving in a crowded environment while dwelling with their relatives, especially in the city. On the other hand, residential homes and such institutions provide this very necessary peace of mind, as well as room for meditation for them to dwell in peacefully (Engdahl, 2011, 100). Similarly, it is a social responsibility for the family members of the elderly, and the society in general, to provide medical facilities to the elderly, in a manner likely to facilitate proper living for them. In relative case scenarios whereby the elderly are not subjected to these facilities, and are prone to diseases, they may tend to succumb to these illnesses, resulting to fatal endings. This may be the distortion of their normal ways of living and in severe consequences, untimely death (Devitt, 2007, 185). On the other hand, institutions such as The Good Care Group provide all the necessary particulars that directly facilitate the proper living of their clients. The institution goes a step ahead to serve even those who do not stand a chance being admitted to this kind of institutions. They incorporate the appointment of care providers, as in the case of nanny’s, but this time, to the aged. The Good Care Group implements such procedures, in a move to reach those relative individuals at home. These is done through the assignment of personal care providers, to the relevant elderly individuals ready to issue their care to a third party, though unable to re-establish life within a new locality (Magill, 2004, 108). Such special care providers implement all procedures relative to provision of aid and care to the elderly, though at the comfort of their own place of residence. This serves the purpose of social care facilities such as The Good Care Group, though not meeting all particulars. An example of some specifics omitted in the provision of elderly care from their place of residence, as compared to those put up in the residential facilities is that they get to mingle, and relate with fellow clients of their age group. This is provided in abundance at the institutions they, as there sustain the livelihood of many other individuals of their own age, with similar ambition, concerning the dwelling in such institutions. This creates time for interaction amongst them, though not forced, but at their own will (Enos, 2007, 201). In these institutions, lies the comfort of the elderly, of familiar surroundings, and the environment in general. Similarly, the elderly admitted to this social-care institutions, tend to build long-term relationships, of good nature, with their motivated, and skilled carers. They also enjoy the comfort of provision of major necessities, as food and shelter, bringing about lack of competition for this, as it would be while living amidst their family and friends, in the highly crowded city. In addition, institutions such as The Good Care Group, provide time to time exercise for their clients, that plays a huge role towards the boosting of the clients morale, and most importantly, keeping them very healthy, despite their old age (Gibelman, 2005, 188). Majority of this services of care provision for the aged in society, do not prevail at the grass-roots. This being simply because, life in the city is highly demanding in all perspectives, thus there is little or no time set aside to cater for the old and the elderly in the same society. It is found out that, the manner in which the elderly live their lives in and within the city, particularly in the care of their families and relatives is of a substandard nature. It is thus deemed necessary, for those families incapable of treating with high regard the well-being of their elderly family members, to enroll them in institutions set up to cater for them in the best way possible (Marmor, 2006, 360). It is however sad that these very family members treat the same course of having their elderly set up in social care facilities as an opportunity to abandon their fellow friends and elderly family members, as they may be considered a setback towards their individual development. In consideration to statistics obtained from random families putting up in East London, it was evident that nearly 90% of the families with elderly members result to enrolling them to social-care facilities for social care provision, as opposed to the 10% who prefer taking care for their aged, all by themselves (Phillips, 2001, 276). As such institutions continue to flourish in London, it is important to note that morals tend to be negatively affected. The younger generation tends to be careless when it comes to catering for the elderly in society; for they believe that their place is in such confinements, with others of their age. This is however untrue, thus such facilities should take time to educate their clients family members, on the necessity there is, in caring for their elderly, and that institutions caring for them are not their homes, but alternative lifestyles, when they suit better (Cowan, 2009, 138). In relevance to prior research, it is evident that a considerably high percentage of the families too, prefer having their elderly situated among them, even with the practice of social care practice. This is by having their elderly nurtured by their social carers, those appointed for them, from institutions offering these particular services (Leutz, 2005, 110). It is conclusive that, the manner in which east London itself goes about the social issue of caring for their elderly, pose as a vivid reflection of how Europe as whole takes up the issue, and most importantly, the entire responsibility. This is evident mostly where the society dwelling in most of the countries in Europe has different views concerning their aged. However, the result of their enrollment to special institutions prevails in most parts of England as a country, and most especially, in London (Carnwell, 2009, 190). The organizations approach towards catering for the elderly may be termed as effective, though not at its best. This is as further research proves that in within the institutions themselves, lies undermining factors to thorough and highly appropriate living for the elderly dwelling in this residence. This is in instances such as, whereby each and every single need for the clients, is not at a position to be fulfilled as thoroughly as it should. For example, in matters concerning feeding and diet, such institutions may not be at a position to provide the diet preferred by each client. It thus poses as a shortcoming, as it facilitates the dropping out of clients, who go in search for more fulfilling premises (Engdahl, 2011, 272). In a move to counter this, it is important for the institution to strategize on methods of narrowing down the clients the serve to categories, whereby personal needs can be easily met, thus facilitating maximum satisfaction for the clients, in terms of service provision. With this in practice, institutions, as well as organizations that are concerned with serving the elderly and taking up the position of their families, such as The Good Care Group are likely to serve more clients, and at the same time, to serve them better. References Aveyard, H. 2007. Doing a literature review in health and social care a practical guide. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Beresford, P., Adshead, L., & Croft, S. 2007. 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