Author Archives: Maureen
Cuts to transport scheme for disabled adults could force Flintshire carer out of work
Around 500 others who use the transport each week are also currently being assessed for eligibility
Feb 2 2012 by Francesca Elliott, Flintshire Chronicle
A WOMAN who cares for her disabled sister has blasted council bosses for a £400,000 transport service cut which could impact hundreds and force her to quit her job.
Julie Forster, of Mynydd Isa, is carer to her vulnerable 51-year-old sister Jackie, who has learning disabilities and often needs a wheelchair.
Jackie, like about 500 others in Flintshire, relies on council-funded transport, which uses private contractors to drive people with learning disabilities to day care centres or work opportunities.
Age UK warning over lack of spending on elderly care
The dignity of elderly people is being lost because of a lack of spending on social care for elderly people, charity bosses have said.
by DAN GRIMMER Tuesday, January 31, 2012
9:39 AM
The charity Age UK this week published a report called Care In Crisis, which said councils have only budgeted for £7.3bn for social care in the face of substantial reductions in central government funding.
And Phil Wells, chief executive of Age UK Norwich, said it was time to work out a way to support the next generation of elderly people.
He said: “We, as a community in Norfolk, have got to get together and find out what is the best way of supporting the people who need help.
Cheap loans plan to help elderly keep independence
Older people would be given financial help to stay in their homes longer and delay going into care under plans drawn up by Government advisers.
By James Kirkup
8:00AM GMT 30 Jan 2012
The Department of Health is considering plans for a major drive to reduce the number of people going into care homes and reduce the cost of social care.
The centrepiece of the initiative would be Government-subsidised loans to the elderly to fund home improvements including downstairs bathrooms, stairlifts and other “property improvements” that would allow them to stay in their own houses longer.
Younger people will also be urged to volunteer to spend time with elderly neighbours, helping address the loneliness that helps push some into care homes.
As politicians struggle to overhaul the fragmented social care system, ministers are looking for new ways to reduce the flow of older people into residential care, which is much more expensive than remaining at home.
