Health issues associated with the Covid19 pandemic have identified and endorsed the wish of society to care for and protect senior citizens and the elderly. A situation evidenced by 90 year old Margaret Keenan being the first recipient of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and dialysis patient 82 year old Brian Pinker being the first recipient of the Oxford-Astra Zeneca vaccine, and echoed by the fact that five of the first nine high priority groups identified by the Government for vaccine priority target 65 year olds and over the first two being inter alia residents in care homes for older adults and 80 year olds and over. This openly stated desire has highlighted a number of alarming facts namely:- a. This section of the community is increasing year on year. b. There is a shortage of suitable care facilities (both residential and nursing) to satisfy current demand let alone future requirements. c. There is a significant lack of trained carers and nursing staff and more particularly and disappointingly an appropriate salary structure to encourage and attract new entrants into the ranks of professional carers. d. The increasing demand for care and respite care associated with Alzheimers and Dementia outstrip more than any other area, the facilities available. e. The cost of addressing these issues is phenomenal and poses a significant problem for Government and society as it is ultimately society, through higher taxation, who must expect to foot the bill. A solution must be found.
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