Patronising the elderly like ‘racist or sexist abuse’

The report by the Commission on Improving Dignity in Care for Older People called for a radical shake-up of aged care in England, saying elderly people are being “let down”.

The group also recommended that staff should be hired according to how compassionate they are, as well as their credentials.

It said that universities and professional bodies “must satisfy themselves that applicants have both the academic qualifications and the compassionate values needed to provide dignified care”.

That could mean students are banned from entering nursing courses if they fail to meet a set of criteria to show they are compassionate.

Patronising language ‘belittles patients‘

The report also said nurses and carers should face disciplinary action for using patronising terms such as ‘dear’ to address elderly patients.

“Expressions such as ‘bed blockers’ imply older people are a burden or a nuisance.

“And using patronising language such as ‘how are we today dear?’ belittles them,” the report said.

The calls to improve standards follows a series of reports and investigations exposing poor care in hospitals and care homes.

Sir Keith Pearson, co-chairman of the commission, said: “We’ve been deeply saddened by the reports highlighting the undignified care of older people in our hospitals and care homes.

In too many cases, people have been let down when they were vulnerable and most needed help. We want this report to be a call to arms. –Sir Keith Pearson, Commission on Improving Dignity in Care for Older People

“In too many cases, people have been let down when they were vulnerable and most needed help. We want this report to be a call to arms.”

Nurses urged to take action

Nurses have also been urged to take action if they felt patients were not receiving dignified care – whether this meant ensuring glasses of water were not placed beyond their reach or objecting to soggy toast being served to them.

“They should know they have authority over care standards, dignity and wellbeing on their ward, expect to be held accountable for it, and take action they deem necessary in the interests of patients,” the report said.

But Peter Cater, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said the key factor when it came to improving standards was ensuring there were enough staff to look after patients.

“We need to see proper planning systems, based on sound clinical evidence, in order to ensure safe nurse staffing levels for patients of all ages,” he said.

The draft report will undergo a month-long consultation, with the commission due to publish its final report by the end of June.