Monthly Archives: August 2012

‘Please think carefully before shutting this excellent respite home with its lovely carers’

Friday, August 24, 2012

Derby Telegraph

A CONSULTATION is taking place presently regarding the proposed closure of Ashlea Hostel, in Coronation Avenue, Alvaston. This building is currently used for respite care by more than 75 people with learning disabilities.

There are a large number of carers who are desperately worried about the possible loss of Ashlea and are especially anxious about losing the professional and highly dedicated staff who work there. We are aware that users of the service are to receive personal budgets but for many the facility provided at Ashlea is what they would choose for their short breaks. Most of those with severe learning disabilities do not accept change easily and would therefore find it difficult to adjust to a different service. Those with profound disabilities need a building-based service to cater for their very special needs.

  1. Emma Richards has profound and multiple disabilities and  enjoys staying overnight at Ashlea Hostel, in Alvaston, left.

    Emma Richards has profound and multiple disabilities and enjoys staying overnight at Ashlea Hostel, in Alvaston, left.

It is generally accepted that the Ashlea building has limitations as originally it was not designed for people requiring such high levels of support. However, inside it is always clean, fresh and well organised and the staff are friendly, welcoming, caring and helpful. There is a real homely atmosphere and Michelle Stevenson, the unit manager, and her staff have made some outstanding improvements.

You see they all have a real love for the job they do and this is what makes the difference. They really care about those who stay at Ashlea and this consistently shines through. The patience, kindness and level of care shown by the staff is clear for all to see. They have received training to a high standard and are very professional in their care of service users who present a diversity of learning and physical disabilities.

Flea bite gets carers banned from helping OAP

By DAN SALES
Published: 1 hr ago

HEALTH and safety jobsworths banned carers from helping a wheelchair-bound OAP after one got bitten by a FLEA.

Jean Jordan, 78, was abandoned after Essex County Council officials made the bizarre ruling.

Authorities made the move after one carer complained they were bitten by the mite at Jean’s house.

It means the pensioner, who dislocated her shoulder two years ago, has been without care for five days.

She needs helpers to assist with washing and dressing her.

Jean’s son Nigel blasted the council for refusing to do more.

He said: “It’s disgusting the way they have treated my mother.

“How can they say it was a flea bite from this house? I’ve tidied all the rooms and sprayed flea killer but I don’t think there have been any here.

“It could have been a fly or a mosquito bite from anywhere, especially in this weather.”

Who cares? Support for carers of people approaching the end of life

The Government’s first national survey of end of life care experiences revealed that only half of the sons, daughters, partners, siblings, parents and friends caring for a dying person receive the help they need

Holiday Inn Regents Park, London, W1W 5EE, United Kingdom


Overview

Why this conference?

The Government’s first national survey of end of life care experiences revealed that only half of the sons, daughters, partners, siblings, parents and friends caring for a dying person receive the help they need. The needs of unpaid carers are too often overlooked or left unmet by ‘the system’. This can have a devastating impact on people’s experience of caring and bereavement. It also makes it difficult, if not impossible, to achieve the Government’s ambition of allowing more people to be cared for and die in their preferred place, which is usually at home. A home death can put enormous pressure on carers on a 24/7 basis.

This national conference, organised by leading charities, explores the needs of carers of people approaching the end of life and some of the particular issues, concerns and dilemmas that accompany this stage of caring. It will look at how the national End of Life Care Strategy (DH, 2008) and Carers Strategy (2008) can be brought together and, by showcasing good practice examples, how they can be translated into a reality on the ground.