Who cares about care homes?

For millions of middle-aged children, finding good care for their parents is akin to a Grail quest — and just as unlikely to succeed. How can you tell if a care home is good? There are so many horror stories of neglect, abuse and even deaths. Most people rely on ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). But when the care regulator says a home is ‘good’, does that mean it is actually good? In fact, as I discovered, it could mean anything.

The CQC’s coveted ‘good’ grade is supposed to be a reassuring measure. It should tell you that your relation will be safe, because a team of inspectors has given the home its official approval.

Sad to say, this is extremely optimistic. Our care-home regulatory regime, far from being a guarantor of quality, is fundamentally flawed. ‘Good’ homes turn ‘inadequate’ in weeks, casting doubt on the veracity of ratings. And thousands of others are officially substandard with poor care and neglect practically endemic, calling into question the effectiveness of the inspection regime.