Monthly Archives: February 2014

Older women ‘let down’ by unsympathetic work culture

February 27, 2014   Carers, health, Social care
By: Information Daily Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, February 27, 2014 – 09:51 GMT      

 

Many women aged over 50 who are facing elderly care responsibilities will end their working lives in low-paid positions due to a “rigid workplace culture”, the TUC says.

Many middle-aged women are “trapped” in low-paid, part-time positions as they struggle to manage work, elderly care and child care responsibilities, a national trade union centre report has warned.

As average UK life expectancy continues its rise, immense pressure is being placed on the public sector, particularly in health and adult social care environments.

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Will eldercare be as common as childcare?

February 26, 2014   Carers, family, Older care

By Andrew Bomford BBC Radio 4’s PM programme

A number of major employers are offering “eldercare” – help with looking after older relatives. Will this soon be as common as providing help with childcare?

Just before Christmas 2012 Deborah Gemmell realised she was a carer.

Deborah’s 82-year-old mother, Pauline Cuthbert – “feisty, independent – she has a better social life than I do” – fell and broke her nose. The accident shook Pauline’s confidence. She wouldn’t leave her house in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, in case she fell again.

Deborah, who lived a two-hour drive away, would have to take time off work to accompany Pauline to hospital appointments. She had a back-up plan – an eldercare package offered by her employer, giving up to 20 days assistance a year from a registered carer who could take her mother to her clinic.

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Almost three-quarters of people fear living standards will fall in old age

February 26, 2014   Carers, Older care
Older people, carers and professionals say the government is unprepared for the challenges of our ageing population, survey finds
Life is no picnic for many older people.

“We’re an old country – with our best years ahead of us.” That’s how David Cameron once characterised Britain, as he set out his vision to “defuse the demographic timebomb” and use its energy to power the country forward. Yet new research for the Guardian shows many older people do not share his optimism about the future of our rapidly ageing society, amid growing concern about pensions, health and social care, rising living costs and marginalisation.

The survey shows that just 29% felt the standard of living of older people in the UK was currently at a good level, compared with 46% who disagreed. And the long-term outlook is even gloomier: just over 11% expect older people’s standard of living to improve over the next 20 years, against 79% who disagree. Over 70% do not believe older people’s overall quality of life will rise in the next two decades, compared with under 16% who do.

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