Public trust in care home safety has almost doubled in the past year according to a survey by specialist dementia care provider Vida Healthcare.
The North Yorkshire outfit found 45 per cent of around 2,000 UK adults surveyed had confidence in the safety of care homes, up from 27 per cent in its 2020 survey.
Other findings from the 2021 Vida Healthcare survey include:
- 47 per cent think of a care home as a home for older people to spend the rest of their lives rather than just a place for care delivery.
- 54 per cent of UK adults have or have had a friend or family member in a care home.
- 67 per cent claim to know more about the industry than ever before.
- 34 per cent said their impression of care homes was now positive than before the pandemic.
- 32 per cent believe that care homes offer a sense of community for residents.
- 56 per cent of respondents who have known someone in a care home said they had become concerned about their mental health due to separation during lockdown.
- 47 per cent agreed they would feel more comfortable if a loved one living with dementia lived in a care home with people on hand who can interact, support, and care for them.
- 40 per cent agreed that recreational activities are as important in the care of older people, particularly those living with dementia, as medication.
Vida Healthcare managing director James Rycroft said: “According to the results of our research, almost half of UK adults consider a care home as a home for older people to spend the rest of their lives rather than just a place for care delivery.
“Despite this, we clearly have a fantastic opportunity to educate the public and prove that care homes are a home for many vulnerable people which offer social activities, specialist care, and unique facilities.”
