Care homes to be given hotel-style star ratings (June 29, 2006)

CARE homes for elderly and disabled people are to be given hotel-style rankings so that residents and their relatives know what standard of service to expect. The ratings, ranging from 4-star for excellent to 1-star for poor, will be awarded according to the calibre of care given as well as the quality and condition of equipment and accommodation.

The measure aims to raise standards for about 500,000 adults living in 20,000 care homes, which generally charge between £21,000 and £42,000 a year for a place. More ...

Völker on the "Altenpflege 2004" (Elderly Care trade fair) in Hanover.

In this year, too, elderly care provides for a record in visitors and exhibitors again. 36,988 professional visitors and 675 exhibitors from 15 countries gathered on the exhibition site in Hanover between 17 and 19 February. The most important European trade fair - with a conference on nursing care, therapy and medical care - it has been for many years the number one information and communication platform in this field. During three days, products and services were presented within the fields of care, rehabilitation, organisation and habitation, information and communication technology as well as housekeeping and nutrition. The main focus of this year's Elderly Care was on the special exhibition named "Living Spaces". Under the motto "Dwelling concepts for the year 2050", design and architecture students showed future-oriented concepts for the way of dwelling in old age.

Dwelling in old age was also picked out as a central theme by other exhibitors. Völker AG presented its future-oriented concepts for dwelling in old age under the motto "Dwelling in Ambience". Völker's motto met with great approval of stand visitors. The different design variations of the beds and the matching furniture were described as being particularly homely by many people.

"Personal demands often express themselves within one's own four walls, even if they have been removed to a nursing home," said Heinrich Völker, the company's Chairman of the Executive Board. According to that, Völker healthcare beds are not only practical aids within the nursing room, but also products which represent a design and feel-good factor for the individual taste.