We support, inform and speak on behalf of older people in care
20 April: R&RA’s director, Helen Wildbore, shares our concerns about the impending crisis in social care on the Mail Plus podcast, Coronacast. The interview covers the rising number of deaths in care homes, the lack of testing and personal protective equipment and shares the concerns of relatives we hear via R&RA’s Helpline. “For too long […] Read More...
Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives. The mantra echoing across the country these past weeks as we came together to try and prevent the spread of COVID-19. But what about protecting our care services? The role of social care in battling the pandemic has, finally, been recognised by the Government. An action plan […] Read More...
14 April: As a worker on the R&RA Helpline, the last few weeks have been spent supporting callers worried about their relatives in care homes. As restrictions to contain Coronavirus take effect, many relatives are no longer able to visit. Shaken by their sudden loss of contact, the main fears are two-fold and are hugely […] Read More...
The Relatives & Residents Association (R&RA) is providing support to people on the front-line of the Coronavirus pandemic. The R&RA Helpline supports older people receiving care, and their relatives, with advice and information about care. R&RA Helpline workers are hearing from people: worried about how their older relative receiving care will cope without the […] Read More...
R&RA’s work supporting older people and their relatives during the COVID-19 pandemic was covered in the Observer on 5 April. Our director, Helen Wildbore, talked of the distress of older people in care as family and friends are no longer able to visit, leaving many without their vital support networks. Read the full piece here, […] Read More...
24 March: R&RA’s Chair, Judy Downey, on the response to Coronavirus Desperately worried relatives are calling us at the Relatives & Residents Association for information and reassurances which are difficult to give. We are all too aware that the care sector is facing a rapidly moving situation and virtually unprecedented circumstances. We still need the […] Read More...
As the country comes together to try and prevent the spread of COVID-19, steps are being taken to protect those most at risk, including older people in care. This includes restricting visits to care homes which can have an impact on residents and families, particularly where people are affected by dementia. Finding other […] Read More...
R&RA’s Chair, Judy Downey, has called for urgent measures to ensure the social care system is properly equipped to tackle Coronavirus. Speaking to Care Home Professional, Judy said: “If the NHS is to do its job effectively for those in need of intensive care, ensuring that adult social care is properly resourced to support people […] Read More...
Last week the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman once again had to remind councils of their duties under the Care Act in regards to third party top-ups. This is despite having guidance on this subject that stretches back to the 1990s and Ombudsman recommendation after recommendation to councils up and down the country. A […] Read More...
19 December 2019: R&RA welcomes the pledge in today’s Queen’s Speech to ensure the social care system provides people with the dignity and security they deserve. We have long called for reform to ensure social care is of high quality and adequately funded. We know from our work supporting older people and their relatives that […] Read More...