Christies Care
Written: Tuesday, April 13, 2010OLD NEWS
One in eight Brits have gone a year or more without seeing their parents, it emerged yesterday (Mon).
Researchers also found one in ten adults only speak on the telephone with their mum or dad just once every four weeks.
And 12 per cent of ageing parents only get to see their sons, daughters and grandchildren three times a year - despite living just 66 miles away on average.
But a third of people over the age of 40 blame their busy lifestyles for neglecting their elderly parents.
While 43 per cent say lack of contact is inevitable as they live too far away to make more of an effort.
The extent to which the nation's ageing population feel alone and largely ignored emerged in a survey of 3,000 over-40s carried out by live-in care agency Christies Care.
Yesterday, Hugh Gathorne-Hardy, Chairman of Christies Care said: ''It's clear many elderly parents and grandparents are being forgotten about as we carry on with our hectic and stressful lives.
''Too many are seen too little throughout the year and a significant number are left feeling isolated, with little human contact.
''It takes effort to take time out and visit relatives, but even regular telephone calls will help them know you care.
''We've found more than a third are currently worried about their parent's well-being, yet so many are left unchecked and off the radar.''
The survey found long office hours, kids' homework, after-school activities as well as feeling too tired by the time it's the weekend are just some of the other reasons to dissuade a visit to elderly parents.
And a quarter said the logistics of sorting out a day and time was enough to put them off.
Only one in five people polled make an effort to see their nearest and dearest once a month.
Nearly half of Brits polled (47 per cent) call their elderly relatives for a catch-up.
But more than a third (35 per cent) said they wish their parents got hold of THEM more.
Half reckon their elderly relatives don't get in touch because they would feel like they're interrupting and calling at a 'bad time'.
A quarter said the fact their parents don't have a computer leaves them feeling lonely and unable to keep in touch via Facebook, email or texting.
The study found 36 per cent of adults are currently concerned for their parent's wellbeing.
Three in 10 fear their parents are becoming isolated due to illness, death of a partner or low income and it emerged grandparents spend nearly six hours a day with no human contact.
But fortunately two thirds can rely on nearby neighbours to check up on their welfare.
And in their time of need, 85 per cent would be prepared to look after their parents if and when they needed help and two thirds would even move house to be closer to them.
The study also quizzed adults on whether they have any future plans in place for looking after their elderly parents.
Eight in ten said living at home would be their parent's preferred choice in old age, rather than residential or nursing homes.
But only half knew that a service for care assistants to live-in at home providing round the clock help for elderly or disabled people exists.
A worrying 73 per cent said their parents had no plans to pay for any care they would need.
Hugh Gathorne-Hardy added: ''It's shocking that very few people understand how much care services cost, how they might pay, but also how so few have plans for their parent's future.
''There's a big national debate about the future of adult social care and people need to know what Government help they'll get, but also how they'll pay for the rest.''
The survey was carried out to mark the launch of a new guide 'Paying for Care: Your options explained' published by Christies Care.
Only one in five said they understood how they could pay for care and three quarters said they didn't know how much care fees would cost.
