Monthly Archives: December 2012

For many unpaid family Carers Christmas will just be another day.

For many unpaid family Carers Christmas will just be another day.

Guest blog by Maureen

For many unpaid family Carers Christmas will be no different to any other day of the year, the loved ones they care for still have to be cared for 24/7, their disability or illness doesn’t go away just because it’s Christmas, quite often Carers have found that friends and family no longer visit or even enquire how they or their caree are which leaves them feeling shut off from the outside world, what many people don’t realise is anyone, and I mean anyone can become a carer in an instant, you don’t chose to become an unpaid carer, it just happens without warning and in some cases without realising you are a carer.
Christmas is no fun either for the person being cared for, they to feel cut off as well while the outside world is having Christmas.
Christmas is another time when outside help is not always available and everywhere is closed putting more and more pressure on the unpaid carer at this time of year.
Chill4us forum is a lifeline to many unpaid carers, it may not be person to person but knowing someone is out there can ease a little of the loneliness and isolation and Chill4us is open all over Christmas, New year and the rest of the year.
Below are some comments how some family carers feel at this time of year……..

Preventative care for elderly under threat, survey suggests

Services have been cut or frozen by two-thirds of local councils since coalition came to power, according to ComRes study

Cuts

Three-quarters of councillors who had had their budget reduced say the cuts mean that elderly and vulnerable local residents are now at greater risk. Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

Personal care services that help elderly people remain living in their own homes have been cut or frozen by two-thirds of local councils since the coalition came to power, a survey shows.

When 435 local councillors in England were asked about social care provision in their area, 64% said their council had reduced or kept funding the same since May 2010 for preventative care and those classed as having low-level needs .

A third (151) had seen their local budget cut, with reductions averaging 16%. Among those councillors, 76% said the cuts meant that elderly and vulnerable local residents were now at greater risk, while the same number admitted they were worried about the welfare of such people. And 69% said people in need would now not receive the help and support they needed.

Threat to leave needy patients in hospital, making State pick up bill in Ireland

By Warren Swords

PUBLISHED: 04:23, 9 December 2012 | UPDATED: 04:23, 9 December 2012

Family carers say they are prepared to go on strike

Family carers say they are prepared to go on strike and leave their loved ones in hospital if the Government refuses to ‘do the right thing’ and reverse the €325 cut in the respite care grant.

Such a move would end up costing the State far in excess of any money saved by the controversial cut in this week’s Budget.

The Carers’ Association plans a further protest at the Dáil on Tuesday, with Government backbenchers declaring themselves in ‘open revolt’.

However, some members of the association are calling for strike action that would leave patients stranded in public hospitals.

The Government is coming under massive pressure to reverse the decision, which has been universally criticised as a cruel and unnecessary measure that saves a paltry €26m.