Carers also need to be cared for

All too often carers put their own wellbeing second to that of a sick family member

By The Sentinel  |  Posted: January 10, 2014

IT IS hugely positive that Staffordshire Fire and Rescue and community pharmacists are to work together to help protect vulnerable older people, particularly those in the early stages of dementia from being injured or killed in house fires.

As our population ages and dementia becomes a greater public health problem there will be an ever-growing need for such partnerships.

For too long older people suffering from this cruel disease have been sidelined by an overburdened welfare state.

Anything that strengthens the support network on which they depend can only be a good thing.

It is to be hoped, though, that a similarly watchful eye will be kept on the family members who provide the day-to-day unpaid care that allows dementia patients to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. The physical and mental stress they face has serious long-term health implications.

All too often carers put their own wellbeing second to that of a sick family member, a situation often compounded by contact with health professionals too busy to notice there may well be two vulnerable people in a household.

ADAM COLCLOUGH

Penkhull

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Carers-need-cared/story-20425334-detail/story.html#ixzz2q2NyBzFS