Category Archives: Arthritis
Carers’ holiday money slashed
FURY: Ron Chambers is a carer for his wife Judy
12:10pm Wednesday 25th April 2012 in Exclusive By James Connell
A CARER has complained he can no longer afford to go on holiday to take a break from his duties because the council slashed his budget.
Ron Chambers, of St George’s Walk, Barbourne, Worcester, says he is “seething” after Worcestershire County Council cut his breaks allowance from £300 to £200.
Council chiefs say the changes mean more carers can access support – 1,175 instead of 903.
Last financial year (2011/12) carers could get a maximum of £300 a year to fund breaks, but this year (2012/13) it has been cut to £200.
Mr Chambers, aged 65, is a carer for his wife Judy, 69, who has osteoarthritis, asthma, bladder problems and has recently been registered blind and needs either a wheelchair or stick to get around.
Mr Chambers, who no longer gets a £55 per week carer’s allowance because he is a pensioner, said the money allowed him to have a break from everyday chores such as shopping, cooking, cleaning, helping his wife in and out of the shower and to dress and general housework.
He said: “I am absolutely seething. They are taking carers for granted.
Carer hits out over financial support
Carer hits out over financial support
A FULL-TIME carer from Hadlow has launched a furious broadside at Kent County Council’s social services department over its lack of support for carers.
Eight years ago Philip Homewood, of Hope Avenue, gave up a career as a chef and baker to look after his 75-year-old father Bill, who received £160-a-month to pay for care.
-
UNHAPPY: Philip Homewood with his father Bill, for whom he acts as full-time carer
The ex-submariner, who suffers from heart disease and arthritis, would pass his payment straight on to his son.
One in seven people in the UK suffer from chronic pain
Gene find could lead to drug for chronic back pain
A gene responsible for chronic pain has been identified, with scientists saying this could lead to drugs for treating long-lasting back pain.
Writing in the journal Science, University of Cambridge researchers removed the HCN2 gene from pain-sensitive nerves in mice.
Deleting the gene stopped any chronic pain but did not affect acute pain.
About one in seven people in the UK suffer from chronic pain, which can also include arthritis and headaches.
chenrezig 
annie 
JaneJ 