Isolation in residential care – a problem to solve at #psicare thanks to @mandy_paine_mbe

We have a whole range of problems to explore and find solutions to at the Connected Care Camp on the 7th December which are being added to as more people complete our survey. If you have not yet completed the survey about what the priorities are please do because we are learning so much from your responses!

The following Twitter conversation is a stark reminder of what needs to change urgently in the care sector. Thanks to Mandy Paine for allowing me to cite this conversation.

Wondering why @NHSChoices do not recognise 'loneliness' & 'isolation' as conditions or wellness topics so don't cover them? HT @clarkmike

— Shirley Ayres (@shirleyayres) November 17, 2013

Hi @shirleyayres love your tweets. Both parents in NHome with vascular Dementia, Dad is Deaf now forgotten signing & lipread. Very Isolated.

— Mandy Paine (@mandy_paine_mbe) November 17, 2013

@mandy_paine_mbe thanks & very worrying for you – it is a real matter of concern to me that people in residential care can be so isolated

— Shirley Ayres (@shirleyayres) November 17, 2013

@shirleyayres They were in adjoining rms but Dad has moved himself to a rm at start of long corridor instead of end rm. He sleeps 90%of day!

— Mandy Paine (@mandy_paine_mbe) November 17, 2013

@mandy_paine_mbe you may be interested in how digital technology is supporting people living with dementia http://t.co/KTgsxLbXxB

— Shirley Ayres (@shirleyayres) November 17, 2013

@mandy_paine_mbe are any activities organised in the nursing home?

— Shirley Ayres (@shirleyayres) November 17, 2013

@shirleyayres as nothing else to do. Mum is either in bed or on own in day room in front of House. My sibling has told staff they can't read

— Mandy Paine (@mandy_paine_mbe) November 17, 2013

@shirleyayres when I visit Dad I write down simple questions which he answers. I did start doing card making & craft making,but had no help

— Mandy Paine (@mandy_paine_mbe) November 17, 2013

@shirleyayres sometimes left with 6 patients needing 1 to 1 help (not possible as im in wheelchair & on oxygen myself) staff take their T bk

— Mandy Paine (@mandy_paine_mbe) November 17, 2013

"@shirleyayres: @mandy_paine_mbe have you raised your concerns with @CareQualityComm?" want 2 try &teach by taking manager"Dementia Confrnce

— Mandy Paine (@mandy_paine_mbe) November 17, 2013

Are we seriously accepting that this is an acceptable level of care for older people living with dementia?

This is one of a number of practical problems  we will be encouraging Connected Care Camp participants to explore and suggest possible solutions and action points

We will also be helping people to understand who has the responsibiliy for making change.  This may include connecting with Jeremy Hunt Secretary of State for Health @Jeremy_Hunt,  Norman Lamb Minister of State for Care and Support @normanlamb , Jon Rouse Director General for Social Care@RouseJonDGDH,  Andrea Sutcliffe Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care@Crouchendtiger7, @NHSEngland, Healthwatch England the consumer champion for health and care, @HealthwatchE,  @SCIE_socialcare,  @TLAP1 , @skillsforcare, @skillsforhealth  and the Chief Executives of professional bodies and charities working in the field of dementia, isolation, loneliness and improving residential care.

@Jeremy_Hunt @normanlamb @RouseJonDGDH who is taking the lead in addressing serious problem of isolation & loneliness amongst older people?

— Shirley Ayres (@shirleyayres) November 18, 2013

@NHSEngland @HealthwatchE who is taking lead in addressing problem of isolation & loneliness amongst older people in residential care?

— Shirley Ayres (@shirleyayres) November 18, 2013