Author Archives: Maureen

450,000 elderly people 'facing Christmas alone' this year

November 12, 2013   bereavement, Carers, Older care, Social care, ukcuts

Age UK is calling for elderly people to contact its support services rather than spend Christmas alone as research finds that many have no-one to turn to as the festive period approaches

 

Many elderly people are facing Christmas alone, the charity Age UK warned.

By Graeme Paton

6:30AM GMT 12 Nov 2013

More than a quarter of pensioners are not looking forward to Christmas because of loneliness and concerns that it brings back bad memories, according to research.

Some 26 per cent of older people – the equivalent of 2.8 million in Britain – suggested that the festive season would not be a time of happiness this year.

It emerged that some 450,000 over-65s faced the prospect of Christmas alone while large numbers of also feared it “brought back too many memories of those who had passed away”.

Research also found that almost one-in-five had concerns about not being able to get out because of the cold weather and shorter days.

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Five million carers do not have ‘control’ over their lives

November 7, 2013   Carers, dementia, Older care, ukcuts

Three quarters of carers in Britain say they are losing “control” of their lives, major study shows

 

Carers putting their own health at risk, census shows

By , Social affairs Editor

5:28PM GMT 07 Nov 2013

Almost five million people in Britain feel they are losing control of their lives because of unpaid caring responsibilities, an official study suggests.

NHS research found that growing numbers of carers are having to put their own lives on hold to support disabled or elderly loved-ones.

The study showed that more than half of those with caring responsibilities are struggling with disabilities or illnesses of their own – in many cases for decades on end.

The recent national census showed that 10 per cent of the entire population of the UK – or 6.5 million people – provide regular unpaid care to someone else, with over a third of them dedicating more than 20 hours a week.

But a survey of 58,000 carers in England by the Government’s Health and Social Care Information Centre showed that for all but a handful it is now having a major impact on their own lives, careers and even health.

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West Sussex carers to have health check-ups at home

November 5, 2013   Carers, Uncategorized

Carers living in West Sussex will now have access to a new service to help them improve their own health.

Published on the 05 November 2013 20:00

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The Sussex Community NHS Trust’s Carers Health Team will visit carers in their own home and check on their general state of health and wellbeing.

Wilma Thomas, Carers Health Team manager at the Trust, said: “Many carers report a decline in health since becoming a carer and some might not even have time to visit their GP for a check-up.

“Our new service means we can support carers in their own home and give them practical advice and support about everything from safe moving and handling techniques to managing medication and eating healthily.

“Long-term we hope that this support will also benefit the person being cared for.”

There are an estimated 84,000 unpaid carers based in West Sussex – which save the county around £1 billion per year, according to the latest figures.

Peter Catchpole, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for Adult Social Care and Health, said looking after carers’ needs is a ‘key priority’ for the county council.

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