Category Archives: Carers

GPs to be paid to take more notice of carers’ needs

January 8, 2013   Carers, health

Will this be a step forward for the family carer?

Family doctors are to be assessed on how much they know about patients in their practice who care for someone with dementia, if new guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) are agreed.

The proposals form part of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), which sets performance standards for GPs and also rewards them financially for meeting those standards.

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Carers champion uses Facebook to help heroes

January 7, 2013   Carers, disability, internet, poverty, Scotland, young carers

A NEW carers tsar

The city's new 'carers champion', Norman WorkThe city’s new ‘carers champion’, Norman Work

Published on Monday 7 January 2013 12:00

A NEW carers tsar is to use Facebook to reach thousands of unsung youngsters across Edinburgh who look after disabled or elderly relatives.

Councillor Norman Work, a former vice-convener for social care and housing, has become Scotland’s first “carers champion” – a post established as part of the council coalition agreement between Labour and the SNP.

One of his first steps will be to connect with the Capital’s hidden army of young carers via such social media platforms as Facebook, to make them aware of the vital support services aware to them.

He said: “We’re looking at being as accessible as possible.”

Cllr Work, whose role will see him engage with carers and act as their voice within City Chambers, recently held his first meeting with organisations representing the tens of thousands of people in the city who look after a friend or family member for free.

Following the meeting, he said he is particularly keen to engage with children who look after a parent or sibling but may not be receiving the help they are entitled to.

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How Sharon became a carer as well as a wife

January 7, 2013   Carers, dementia

SHARON Armstrong’s life changed forever when her husband was diagnosed with working age dementia.

SHARON Armstrong’s life changed forever when her husband was diagnosed with working age dementia.

The 56-year-old of Synge Close, Clifton, became a carer as well as a wife.

  1. ​Daily struggles: Steven Armstrong, 60, from Clifton, who has dementia.

    Daily struggles: Steven Armstrong, 60, from Clifton, who has dementia.

She said: “I noticed things just around the house, he was leaving taps running and his co-ordination went.

“He puts his clothes on the wrong way round and has total disorientation when he goes out.

“He can’t remember what he wants to tell you.

Her husband Steven was diagnosed in March of 2012, aged 59, and is now unable to play the sports he loves or drive his car.

His condition also means that he has recurring nightmares and can hallucinate in the daytime.

Sharon said: “Steven’s not the person I married. It’s like someone’s chopped off my arm or I’ve been bereaved. It’s not the same as it was.

“He feels resentful and it comes out in family life sometimes.”

Sharon, who works part-time for the city council, said the working age dementia scheme has given them a new lease of life.

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