Emeritus Prof Christopher May1d ago

Care homes have become of great interest to Private Equity not least of all as they seem to be a sustainable source of income & profits.

In an excerpt from her new book Hettie O'Brien explores what this actually entails for people in care homes, the staff & those whose loved one are residents.

Its not a happy tale.

#CareHomes #PrivateEquity

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/28/the-great-care-home-cash-grab-how-private-equity-turned-vulnerable-elderly-people-into-human-atms

The great care home cash grab: how private equity turned vulnerable elderly people into human ATMs

When did care homes come to be seen as recession-proof investments? And who pays the price?

The Guardian
Show threadSteve Williams1d ago
@ChrisMayLA6
My mother’s care home fits this dreadful private equity template. Slashed staffing levels, terrible food, raised fees and managerial chaos. No one I talk to seems to have heard how private equity operates. Dentists, vets and any small, well run organisations are fair game to these vultures. Totally evil.
Show threadSteve Williams23h ago
@ChrisMayLA6
Supper @ £2000 a week.
Show threadDavid S22h ago
@blabberlicious @ChrisMayLA6 wtf?
Show threadSteve Williams22h ago
@Pionir @ChrisMayLA6
Weekend special. They skip as proper supper and knock out food a dog wouldn’t eat. I am in constant battle with the about so many issues. But Mums dementia is really late stage, and the home is minutes away. So moving her would be shite.
Show threadDavid S22h ago

@blabberlicious @ChrisMayLA6

I never thought researching the ownership structure of potential care homes would be on the checklist for my parents.

Show threadSteve Williams22h ago
@Pionir @ChrisMayLA6
Essential. If it’s owned by a conglomerate (private equity) then you are basically paying for middlemen to run down your services and run up your fees. Some homes are still independent. Worth asking.
Show threadEmeritus Prof Christopher May21h ago

@blabberlicious @Pionir

When I was recently exploring homes for respite care for my wife, I found only one independent & actually it was worse than a couple of the group-run homes... that said, I then decided against it any way & am arranging our one day a week respite cover agency to do five days.... and while no cheeper than respite in a home, its a lot less disruptive

Show threadSteve Williams
@ChrisMayLA6
Yes. Go with your instincts. I reached a stage with mum where I was there almost round the clock, never able to turn off. Always filling in gaps between visits from help. It just got too much. I found joining a local support group was really good. Just being able to talk to people on a similar journey helped me feel less isolated.
It’s important to look after yourself, too.
Mar 28 at 9:32pmWeb
Show threadEmeritus Prof Christopher May21h ago

@blabberlicious

Yes, I have a number of me-preserving activities (from the gym twice a week, to DJing most Fridays) in addition to my one day 'away' while my wife has a carer at home - very much appreciate the advice & wanted to reassure you that this self-preservation is very much in the forefront of my mind