Monthly Archives: November 2014

Mum launches fight for carers' rights

First published Wednesday 26 November 2014 in News Northwich Guardian: Photograph of the Author by Gina Bebbington, Chief Reporter

A MUM and campaigner who has been a full time carer for 40 years is using Carers Rights Day to raise awareness of the problems she, and many others like her, face on a daily basis.

Moulton woman Dorothy Jump has cared for her son Christian since he was born.

Lonely elderly flood Silver Line helpline with calls

In its first year, a free 24-hour UK helpline for the elderly has been inundated with calls about loneliness.

Founded by Esther Rantzen and aided by the Big Lottery Fund, the Silver Line took nearly 300,000 calls, and most were about feeling lonely or isolated.

More than half of callers told the helpline they had nobody else to talk to.

Some also called to report abuse or neglect in their homes or in residential care.

One of the first calls received was from a woman in a care home too afraid to give her name. But she did give the name of the care home, where the residents had been left without food and the heating turned off. The police were informed, and the residents are now safe.

Call for review of Carer’s Allowance application process

The Carers’ Association has called for a complete review of the application process for the Carer’s Allowance in respect of those looking after people with learning disabilities and autism.

The association said it is encountering a worrying rise in the rejection rate following desk-top assessments at the Department of Social Protection.

The father of a 16-year-old boy with autism drives 50 miles a day to bring his son to the Stepping Stones ABA school in Kilcloon, Co Meath.

Anthony Doolan gave up his permanent, pensionable job ten years ago to care for his son Paul full-time.

He said his son cannot be left at any stage on his own and needs to be under constant supervision.