Care home crisis: New book demands dementia reform
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Dementia is now one of the UK’s biggest killers - yet families and carers are too often left battling a broken system.
In Help Me … Can Somebody Get Me Out of Here?, Frank York shares shocking stories, practical advice, and urgent calls for reform—shining a light on the crisis in dementia care homes.
BUY NOW: Help Me … Can somebody get me out of here? is available now at Amazon and Waterstones
The book is making waves in the care world, as well as supporting families walking the same path.
Frank, who is writing under a pseudonym to protect family privacy, writes movingly about his experiences in the care system with a close relative who has dementia.
It’s an easy read book that will speak to others in and around Yorkshire, northern England, and the whole of the UK.
Through so many disappointing experiences, he found out more needs to be done within the social care and health system. This book offers practical, positive advice moving forward.
While praising individual members of staff, Frank has criticised the structure and performance of care for those with dementia. He said: “The book covers everything from what is going wrong with the system to how loved ones can help.
“There are thousands of books on dementia but none that covers the crisis in care homes, where staff are overworked, underpaid and unable to properly look after vulnerable residents.”
The book claims that in some settings end of life care is not as safe and as dignified as people would like it to be, while the charges people have to pay for it are extortionate.
The author’s friend added: “You could go on a cruise for the rest of your life for the same cost of staying in a care home.”
Reader reviews
Book reviews on Amazon have been very positive about the book. Stephen Roy wrote: “This book was thoroughly eye opening. While eloquently highlighting the issues within UK care homes, it has a supportive tone for care workers. Interesting dietary advice and alternative therapies. I would recommend this be read by care workers and people going through the process with their loved ones.”
And John Bowden also reviewed it, saying: “The book HELP ME Can someone get me out of here is a must for those caring for elderly friends & relatives suffering from dementia.”
Finding the right fit for your loved one
Frank has spent time watching his relative being cared for in various care homes. He has chosen to move them after becoming unhappy with the standards on offer.
Now, they are being looked after at home by full-time carers.
He added: “We need to raise awareness of what dementia is and what can be done. Dementia is not a normal part of aging, It’s an illness, it is caused by damaged brain cells which affect the ability to communicate and really puts the patient and carer into a completely another world of living..”
Positive dementia care
Some of the ways to deal with dementia include using music therapy which can help take a person back to a happier time of life and reduce anxiety and pain. The book gives information on a good dementia diet and simple everyday wellbeing tips.
It prepares you to have a patient and compassionate attitude. Giving easy to follow guidance, for example- how to agree with a loved one suffering from dementia when they say something, even though you know it to be factually incorrect.
Expecting better
The book has some shocking revelations from the horrific experiences different people with dementia have experienced in some care homes.
He said: “Sometimes it is simple things like clothes not fitting, personal hygiene not attended to but it can be the noise and smells inside the homes that's unbearable – most visitors cannot wait to get out but the people living there don’t have a choice.”
He added: “All these people have contributed to our society but they are just being let down in the end. It’s saddening! The government needs to do more.”
Help Me … Can somebody get me out of here? is available now at Amazon and Waterstones