Monthly Archives: August 2014
Thousands of OAPs are denied handrails or stairlifts in their homes
Despite alterations helping to keep them independent
Number of home adaptations installed has plummeted by 5,500 since 2011
- Lack is one reason why elderly patients can not be discharged from hospital
- But critics say councils have cut back while still paying huge salaries
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Thousands of elderly people are being denied vital home alterations that keep them out of hospital and help them stay independent, it emerged yesterday.
Improvements such as handrails, stairlifts and ramps can stop them being hurt in falls – but the number being installed has plummeted by 5,500 since 2011.
Landmark bedroom tax ruling issued
A tribunal has overturned a decision on the bedroom tax
A tribunal has overturned a decision on the bedroom tax, setting a precedent that could force some councils to rethink how they decide who needs a room for an overnight carer.
Solicitor Giles Peaker (photo) said he would not be surprised if ‘a fair number of councils’ had calculated who needs a spare room for overnight care in the same way as Eastleigh Council did.
Life should go on after caring stops
Carers have a lot of skills and experience to offer once they stop care-giving but we need to offer them more support.
6th August 2014
by DR JOYCE CAVAYE
Carers: is there life after care-giving? Have you or anyone you know, ever been an unpaid carer? Three in every five people will be carers at some point in their lives so it is likely that you will know someone who is or has been a carer.
The number of carers in the UK is estimated to be around 6.5 million.
In Scotland, there are about 650,000 unpaid carers providing care and support to family members, partners, friends and neighbours who are affected by ill health, frailty or disability. These numbers are projected to rise over the next 20 years, in response to an aging population and fewer social services.
