Despite a decline in hospitalisations and the end of government restrictions, UK care homes remain blighted by damaged reputations, as families opt for looking after elderly relatives themselves, or paying for carers to come into their homes, according to research conducted by care introductory agency, Elder.

Elder commissioned Censuswide to survey 500 UK carers, plus 2,001 UK adults aged 18-plus (nationally representative) between 4 and 8 March this year.

The recent ruling that care home admissions during the Covid pandemic were unlawful, and reports of ongoing staffing issues, have added to challenges brought about by the pandemic. The majority of those polled (58%) agreed that reports of conditions in 2020 and 2021 have deterred them from moving a close relative into a care home.

Elder found that more than half of adults (55%) believe that elderly people deteriorate more quickly when moved into a home. Morale in homes is also an issue, with 70% perceiving care home admissions to have an adverse effect on a patient’s mental health.

This is backed up by working carers, who report that delivery has suffered as a result of staff shortages accelerated by Covid and Brexit.

Close to one in 20 current residents will be removed from care homes to receive alternative forms of care in the next year. And the pipeline looks set to decline further, with three-quarters (74%) of adults given the choice saying they wouldn’t go into a home if they needed care.

Nearly a quarter (24%) of those who receive care do so at home already and over the next year, demand for live-in care will almost double that for care home placements.

Preferences of elderly relatives are the biggest barrier to using care homes, with concerns around contracting Covid, and desire for greater control over management of their care also playing a role. One in 20 (6%) have also been influenced by reports of abuse and mistreatment.

Pete Dowds, chief executive at Elder said: “The pandemic has undoubtedly changed demands and expectations of families arranging care for a loved one. The current care home model increasingly feels inappropriate, as ready access to elderly relatives is now an essential for family members, who need peace of mind that wellbeing and high standards of delivery are being upheld.”