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Read moreSpinal Cord Injury Victims better off with live in Carers
05/11/2012
New research has shown that people with spinal cord injuries would have a better quality of life if nursed by live in care workers rather than being placed in an inappropriate residential care home.
Dr Brett Smith from Loughborough University claims that those who stay in care homes are more likely to be put at unnecessary risk by sub-standard facilities which might lead to them developing pressure sores, suffering from infections and even breaking bones. Care home workers are not generally trained as spinal specialists and could struggle to meet the demanding physical health needs of the patient.
It is life-changing to be told that you will never walk again. A spinal injury sufferer may well suffer from chronic depression, self-harming and suicidal thoughts. It is common for spinal injury patients to have a diminished quality of life caused by a dependence on others, loneliness and boredom. Dr Smith and his colleagues conducted lengthy interviews with 20 people with spinal injuries who have experienced living in care homes. Some reported that the staff could often not help them to get out bed until noon and that they could even be left in bed all day if the residential home was short of staff.
The spinal injury charity Aspire asked Dr Smith to carry out research about the feelings of those with spinal injuries living in care homes designed for elderly patients. He argues that there is a lack of suitable housing in the community that meets the needs of people with spinal injuries. As many as 20% of patients are sent straight from hospital to a placement in a care home to recover from their spinal injury, which can be for a period of three years or more. A better option would be
utilising live in care workers who can help those with spinal cord injuries to gain independence and have a better quality of life in their own homes.
Brian Carlin, the Chief Executive of Aspire, is calling for a review on public policy regarding this issue, which he says is preventing thousands of people from getting on with their lives. Placement in a care home stifles people who suffer with spinal cord injury and also prevents them getting a job, which is contrary to government policy that aims to increase employment rates among disabled people.
