Monthly Archives: January 2014

Loneliness and periods of crisis ‘affect many in UK

 Many people feared not being able to get around easily

20 January 2014 Last updated at 01:45
By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter

Man climbs stairs As many as a third of British adults feel they have no-one to turn to in a crisis, a survey has suggested.

Nearly three-quarters of those questioned online for the Red Cross said they had already been through a period of crisis in their lives.

And 37% thought they could suffer one again within the next five years.

The main worries for people as they get older were cited as being the loss of independence and not being able to cope on their own.

About a quarter of the 2,043 people surveyed were concerned they would not be able to get around in the same way, and would be lonely and isolated.
‘Lasting impact’

A significant minority, about one in eight, said they felt those in the UK did not suffer crises in the same way as people in other countries.

The charity, which offers help and support in the UK as well as abroad, said support for the elderly would become “more vital” with an ageing population, shrinking budgets and health and social care services “struggling to meet demand”.

‘Exempt carers from Bedroom Tax’

 

A LABOUR councillor called for Charnwood Borough Council to treat carers in the same manner as war widows and exempt them from the Spare Room Subsidy known as the Bedroom Tax.

“There are 21 households including a resident carer affected by the Bedroom Tax”

Coun Robert Sharp, deputy leader of the opposition Labour group, told a full council meeting: “There are 21 households including a resident carer affected by the Bedroom Tax. In view of the small numbers could the leader agree to treat carers in the same manner as war widows and exempt them from the Bedroom Tax.”

Coun Jane Hunt, speaking on behalf of Coun Jenny Bokor, who is the lead member for benefits, said the council understands the personal sacrifice made by all those who act as carers. She said that discretionary funds were available to support them but that some of the carers level of income exceeded £670 a week, which would exclude them from accessing the funds.

Patients ‘not ill enough’ for care funding

  The NHS should pay for those who have a complex medical condition and need nursing care

BBC Scotland has discovered further evidence that Scottish people are being wrongly charged care home costs.

The BBC has now learned of three people who are minimally conscious or in a vegetative state who have been told they are not “ill enough” to get their care costs paid by the NHS.

The three individuals all suffered serious strokes.