A tragic scenario that gets played out everyday - I think the underlying dynamics are: * it's a job that very few people want [caring for elderly] * it has ZERO social status. * pay is even worse than that of yer average EMT. * even some families won't care for their own. I'm the first to admit it's a job I would be unable to do, day in day out [I still shudder at the deprivation in some of the homes I went into when I was on "the district"]. I honestly doubt if the stink of piss would rank as a major concern with Social Services [providing there is a roof, food and heating] - a social worker might be able to organise an improved "care package", but in reality choice sometimes amount to little more than the least worst provider [rather than a gold star service]. All terribly depressing ?