Author Archives: Maureen

Plight of carers highlighted by MP

June 20, 2013   Carers, ukcuts

Carers must not be seen as an economic burden with the Government ensuring they receive greater flexibility at work, a former health minister has urged.

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Carers must not be seen as an economic burden, Paul Burstow said

Liberal Democrat Paul Burstow said aside from the physical and emotion toll carers experience, reports suggest three million people try to balance caring responsibilities with paid work.

And Mr Burstow said studies also highlighted 2.3 million have given up work to care for someone leading to the UK economy losing £1.3 billion a year from tax revenues and benefits.

The figure devised by the London School of Economics rises to £5.3 billion a year when lost earnings are also taken into consideration.

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20% of people in the UK face mental illness

June 20, 2013   Carers, Depression, mental health

ONE in five Britons has faced anxiety and depression, with women reporting it more than men and the worst-afflicted age group being 50-54.

This snapshot into the nation’s sense of wellbeing comes in figures released yesterday by the Office for National Statistics.In a survey of 40,000 households, 19 per cent, reported struggling with the mental health conditions.The divorced or separated were more likely to suffer, with 27 per cent having symptoms compared with 20 per cent of those who were single, cohabiting or widowed and 16 per cent of those who were married or in a civil partnership.

Carers looking after elderly or sick loved ones were also vulnerable.
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Elderly residents ‘life line’ coffee shops are taken away in Norfolk

June 19, 2013   Carers, Norfolk, Older care, ukcuts

Residents angry as “lifeline” coffee shops are taken away from 14 Norfolk care at home complexes

Residents at the Wherry Housing Associated sheltered home complex, Redmayne View, angry that Norse are cancelling their café and shop. Picture: Denise Bradley Residents at the Wherry Housing Associated sheltered home complex, Redmayne View, angry that Norse are cancelling their café and shop. Picture: Denise Bradley

Wednesday, June 19, 2013
12:00 PM

 

Angry residents of a Norwich care home have blasted funding cuts which will see their “lifeline” on-site coffee shop taken away and the hours of their shop slashed.

Older people living in the Redmayne View care at home complex, in Sprowston, say their quality of life will be damaged by the changes – part of a shake-up which has put 51 jobs at Norse Commercial Services at risk around Norfolk.

Redmayne View is one of more than a dozen care homes round the county where Norfolk County Council subsidises Norse Commercial Services to provide on-site coffee shops and convenience stores.

And with looming job cuts, those shops and stores, so valued by the elderly residents, are in danger of disappearing or having their hours reduced.

The 40 residents of Redmayne View currently enjoy a staffed coffee shop and mini convenience store service between 10am and 11.30am five days a week.

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