‘Dying well’ to be the priority for care of elderly in the Highlands

A social work chief told a committee meeting yesterday that caring for the elderly in the Highlands would see a shift to preventing hospital admissions and what she called “dying well”.

Social work director Harriet Dempster was speaking during a joint presentation to the housing and social work committee along with NHS Highland chief executive Roger Gibbins about problems in caring for the elderly, as people live longer.

Some councillors questioned Mrs Dempster’s use of the term “dying well”, but Mr Gibbins said: “A lot of people spend their last few days in hospital, with invasive procedures going on and with very little opportunity to use that time to do what they want and with their families.

“There is a lot we can do to make that important period in someone’s life better for them and their families.”

Lochaber councillor Dr Michael Foxley, a GP, said: “I think ‘dying well’ is a great phrase. It is the last taboo that people cannot come to terms with. I see people die badly, people who are lonely, frightened and miserable and away from where they should be.”

Mr Gibbins said changing demographics were a major challenge for the Highlands and would have a big impact in the next 20 years.

The joint presentation outlined how the two agencies planned to work together to cope with the increasing burden of caring for the elderly.

Mr Gibbins said that there would be fewer acute hospital beds and fewer residential care beds in the Highlands.

“There will be greater expectation on people to care for themselves and greater expectation on families and community to support older people in the community.”

He added: “We will be providing care in short bursts when needed. Care will be quick and flexible but it will not be forever and a day.”

More people will have to care for themselves in old age because of the increasing numbers of elderly residents, it was said. Mrs Dempster said family members and the community will be required to help with caring for the elderly as health budgets shift to focus on the very needy.

Caithness councillor David Flear said he was of a generation that was told to expect lifelong care.

“There is a major cultural change needed to understand that society can no longer take that responsibility.”