The community feel is being forgotten

摘要

The presentation by our government andits supporters on independent living forelderly and vulnerable people, loneliness,undernourishment, capacity and bedblocking in the NHS and lack of qualitysocial care provision appears to bebadged as a lack of health and social careintegration.This is coupled with a need for tougher legislation to force local authorities into meeting their responsibilities.In reality it is more likely because the Government has cut funding to councils.There is also more demand from a growing elderly population no longer looked after by family and neighbours and many more charities diverting funding into running the organisation (staffing, premises, advertising and other expenses). In addition, society has shifted with far less community cohesion and support for one another.When I was a student, I took on a summer job as a milkman. The main thing I remember was the scope of the job. Many milkmen I worked with checked on their elderly customers daily, even checking they had taken their medication or were eating properly. Some mowed the garden mid-week for their elderly customers andprovided interest-free loans when their customer was unwell and unable to collect their pension.