Monthly Archives: December 2013
We need help now to fight this illness
COUPLE: Ray and Jean Boswell are united in their battle against the ravages of dementia.
5:10pm Saturday 14th December 2013 in News By James Connell
But Ray Boswell, aged 75, of Stourport, says those with the disease and their carers need support “here and now” to cope with the impact of the devastating degenerative brain illness. Prime Minister David Cameron said a cure could be “within our grasp” when he addressed scientists, politicians and campaigners at the dementia summit in London this week, called by the UK as part of its year-long chairmanship of the G8.
Mr Cameron wants the Government to double public, commercial and charitable research and development in dementia, from £66 million in 2015, to £132 million by 2025. He said the world should be “just as resolute” in tackling dementia as it had been in the past against malaria, cancer, HIV and Aids.
Carers missing out on £1.6m in support
Hidden carers are failing to claim the support they are entitled to.
CARERS across Redditch are missing out on more than £1.6million of support because they do not know they are entitled to it.
A total of 522 people in the borough are failing to claim carers allowance according to figures released to mark Carers Rights Day.
The benefit is worth £59.75 a week – or £3,107 a year – and is available to people aged 16 and over who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for their loved one.
There are 8,889 carers in Redditch looking after a loved one with the numbers having increased by over 1,000 in the last decade.
But charities say there are many more so-called hidden carers who are failing to claim the support they are entitled to either through a lack of advice or because they do not class themselves as a carer and instead consider it their responsibility or part of family duty.
CQC launches dementia services review
CQC launches dementia services review
The Care Quality Commission is to undertake unannounced inspections of 150 care homes and hospitals to review the care of people with dementia in England.
The news comes on the day the prime minister is hosting a G8 summit in London to develop an international plan to combat the condition.
CQC chief executive David Behan said it will be the first time the regulator has specifically reviewed care services for people with dementia. He said the CQC’s findings would create a national picture of “what works well and where improvements are required”.
