VANESSA REDGRAVE’S dramatic comments to the Radio Times on the state of the country’s care homes will not help anyone, least of all those receiving care.

To claim that the lives of people in care homes is abominable shows a clear lack of understanding.

While not wishing to claim all care homes are perfect, most work hard to care for people with compassion, dignity and a desire to offer the best possible quality of life.

For many families, the decision to find a care home for a loved one is a difficult one, but is nevertheless a decision that often has to be taken.

History is littered with families who have tried to provide care for a parent and been torn apart by that effort.

As a care-home owner, I wouldn’t publicly suggest any shortcomings of the theatrical profession.

Instead of making sweeping generalisations, Vanessa should be turning her fire on successive governments and local authorities that have failed to properly fund social care in this country.

Mike Padgham, Chair, Independent Care Group (York and North Yorkshire), Eastfield House, Eastfield, Scarborough.