A gift, not a burden

The most exhaustive Report ever carried out on services to senior citizens provided by the Catholic Church in England and Wales was presented in London on October 27. Accordingly, the number of places in care homes ought to increase by 150% while further funding is needed. However, the Report also shows strong ties to the Catholic Community, which provides ongoing assistance to the elderly. “Caritas Social Action Network” (CSAN), the umbrella organization representing Catholic charities, released recommendations based on the findings of the research conducted by Middlesex University’s Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) in Spring 2009, using questionnaires, interviews and focus groups to gather information. Respondents included both members and non-members of CSAN. As well as mapping existing care provision, the research aimed to highlight innovative practice and to suggest more collaborative ways for organisations to work. Problems to be addressed. “Social Policy Research Centre” researchers from Middlesex University examined 30 residential homes and 28 organizations providing outreach services concluding that places need to increase by 150% to cope with requests with the increasing ageing population. Indeed, Latest demographic projections indicate there will be over 11 million people aged over 65 within 10 years. The main problem identified by residential providers was the lack of funding, with two thirds of the homes surveyed affected by rising costs and few sources of funding. Isolation and the lack of a sense of community were identified by respondents as the main issues facing older people today.Added value. The research team identified a series of the strong points, indeed the added value of old-age homes run by the Church, which provides assistance to people of all faiths. Its geographical spread is wide, included within rural communities and therefore it can reach people that other groups may not be able to access. Care processes in the Catholic community also focus on activities designed to enrich residents’ quality of life, such as outreach and befriending initiatives. The community also brings together a wide range of groups with the potential to work across social and geographical boundaries. Recommendations for the future. Recommendations the team made for Catholic care providers included the development of inter-generational work to bring older people and younger people closer together for their mutual benefit. Clearer information about entitlements, and issues such as dementia and end of life care would all help to improve the overall quality of older people’s lives. Raising the Catholic voice at the decision making table on policy issues affecting older people is deemed crucial by the researchers. Key recommendations include enacting measures to tackle loneliness and isolation including opportunities for older people to engage with the local community, while emphasis is placed on the need to develop an increased number of strategic partnerships with other voluntary and public sector organizations, although the team stresses that this should be done without losing the distinctive ethos of Catholic organizations. The message of Msgr. Nichols. “The elderly are not a burden but a gift. They have a right to our resources and our care”, declared the Archbishop of Westminster, Msgr. Vincent Nichols commenting on the findings of the Report. The Archbishop thanked all those who work and care for elderly along with the ‘hidden carers’. “I hope that together with the Government and other agencies, the Church and the Catholic community can work together to support and cherish the elderly”, he said. Philippa Gitlin, “CSAN” Director, shares the same hope. “The report confirms our view that we need to raise our profile as a significant voice in the sector, and together with other faith providers lobby to influence debate and policy decision-making on the care and provision of services for older people”, she pointed out. Dr Louise Ryan of Middlesex University’s Social Policy Research Centre said: “In this research we have highlighted examples of good practice within this group of Catholic-based care organisations. We hope that this report shows clear ways that CSAN can make significant contribution to the wider debate on care and collaborate with other sector groups to improve care for older people”.