Room sizes matter, but so do people

This will give the public clearer expectations of the different standards of service available. Reform is urgently needed.

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society says:

'Rarely a day goes by without us being contacted by someone worried about their friend or relative with dementia. People with dementia are often too physically and mentally frail to speak out for themselves when care fails them. They should be able to rely on inspectors to uphold the standards. Inspectors have a responsibility to ask the right questions to the right people. We welcome the CSCI's decision to focus more on listening to what it feels like to live in a care home - room sizes matter, but so do people.'

In a recent survey carried out by the Alzheimer's Society the majority of the 500 carers who responded spoke of how isolated and abandoned they felt in their search for the best home for the person they cared for. One carer said:

'It is traumatic and stressful having to face the fact that a loved one has to go into a home let alone having to try and find a care home suitable without knowing what to look for…To help with my decision-making I used the inspection reports available to anyone on request, however from experience now gained, these reports are not worth the paper they are written on.'

The survey also revealed that improved inspections of care homes are desperately needed to provide greater support and information to carers as well as safeguarding the well being of thousands of vulnerable people with dementia.

'Families are reassured by managers that if they have any concerns or worries that they should voice them, but woe betide you if you do, then the resentment starts. We have been treated disrespectfully for asking questions concerning my husband's well being. I need to be involved with my husband's care even if he is in a care home. It's as if they consider your concerns and care as interference…There needs to be many more inspections and all unannounced. If it wasn't so serious, it's laughable at the performance before an announced inspection.

'The type of care on offer at each home is VERY difficult to ascertain. The residential category (with CSCI) gives no help at all. Some care home without the dementia label give very good dementia care! Some care homes with dementia category are abysmal and disempowering for the resident.

'Care standards inspections reports are not very helpful. Almost all homes score three out of four on most criteria and they concentrate on procedures not quality of care, activities etc. I used the Alzheimer's Society advice sheet at all my interviews. I put emphasis on staffing levels - surprisingly similar I found, attitude of staff, décor, cleanliness, facilities activities, access to garden and gave high weighting to nearness to home to allow frequent visiting by family, friends and me.'

For further information and case studies please contact the press office on 0207 306 0813.

Notes for editors:

• The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers and celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2004.
• The Alzheimer's Society was recently announced the Medical Journalists' Association Medical Charity of the Year for 2004. The Alzheimer's Society is the first organisation to win this award.
• Over 750,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's. Dementia affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in five over 80.
• There are 18,500 people in the UK under the age of 65 with dementia.
• For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336.
• Our website address is: www.alzheimers.org.uk