In the last couple weeks, I went away for a weekend with my grandson to Italy. I visit this country a lot – it’s really my second home.
It was a lovely weekend where I got to switch off to be with my family. I even had the unexpected pleasure to meet with a friend I had not seen for over 24 years.
The conversation turned to discussing the challenges one faces when we get older. My eyes were opened even more to the ‘care’ world in Italy, and the experience of older people there.
Italy has many similarities to the way we work regarding care homes or live in care but it is not regulated in the way over in the UK, since we have the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
What was particularly interesting to me was the way care works – the actual process of delivery of care.
For those who have a live in carer, those carers are only allowed to work 5.5 days a week and because of this families have to find someone else to do Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
For those who need to a carer for themselves or a loved one 24/7 days a week, the only way to cover that shortfall is by doing this ‘cash in hand’.
From my friend’s insights, it turns out that care homes quite frequently have people sharing a room. She mentioned how her mum was placed in a very good care home in a shared living space. The cost was around 4500 euros per month (around £3,850)
We also shared the challenges our countries face when it comes to care services and Italy’s hurdles are very similar to our’s. It is extremely hard for people to find good quality care and people often have very little information regarding their options and support.
The service Shreeve Care Services provides does not seem to exist in Italy and it seems a lot of Italy’s care system operates in a ‘cash in hand’ manner.
Perhaps in the future Italy should have a Shreeve Care Services option, there is definitely a space and need for it!
Much of the information my friend shared with me was one I am all too familiar with in the UK.
In Italy, families are often left to support their loved ones themselves, which puts strain and stress on family members who can feel unsupported or abandoned – or simply out of money.
Finding the right and good care is tricky there as it is here.
From what my friend described; there’s not a brokerage system run by local authorities as there is here.
It seems that care services are very much coming from the family unit rather than external providers and if external care is provided, it is either expensive or ‘cash in hand’.
My trip allowed me to think about my work in a whole new light and how important it is have access to quality information regarding your care options.
Shreeve Care Services is needed here, possibly there and maybe another trip to Italy will soon be on the cards…
