The front page of today’s Times has a colourful strapline banner saying “50 ways to improve life for old people”.  I really like one idea in particular, and that is point number six from Times columnist Janice Turner who suggests setting up a CareHome Advisor, like TripAdvisor, for elderly care.

I think it would be a fantastic resource for our old folk and their families, and it will hopefully keep care homes on their toes. This is what Janice says:

“When your elderly parent needs care, the learning curve can be as steep and scary as when you are handed your firstborn child. Yet with a baby you are enveloped by a community of parents and a slew of books and websites. When you look for a care home, as I found seeking a respite place for my 88-year-old father, you are alone.

“What I longed for were the views of people who had done this before and could simply say, “my mother is looked after very well,” or “we took my auntie away, no one spoke to her” – ground level advice that you expect on the internet, whether you are booking a hotel in New York or dinner for two in Brighton, but not in this grave and essential consumer field.”

In fact, Janice, why not also start a HospitalCare Advisor too following the critical report last week from the Care Quality Commission, the health watchdog, which found that half of all hospitals that it looked at failed in standards of care for the elderly.

Let’s empower our elderly (with some assistance from their families) and give them a voice that is heard and listened to.