Category Archives: disability

Some paid carers can only stay for 10 minutes!

June 13, 2013   Carers, disability, Social care, ukcuts

Disabled and elderly home care: Crisis talks being held

Norman Lamb MP “We need to transform care now,” minister Norman Lamb said

Care minister Norman Lamb is meeting care providers later to discuss what he says is a crisis in care of the elderly and disabled at home.

Mr Lamb says a quarter of all clients in England are unhappy with the service they receive.

BBC social affairs correspondent Michael Buchanan says a priority will be ensuring visits last longer – at present some only last 10 minutes.

Continuity will also be called for, so people are familiar with their carers.

Hundreds of thousands of people are currently looked after by companies in their own homes and that number will increase in the coming years as the population ages, says the BBC’s Michael Buchanan.

Mr Lamb believes the current system results in poor care, low wages and neglect, and is warning that there could be an abuse scandal in this sector, as serious as the problems which occurred at Stafford hospital.

Much domiciliary care, also known as home care, is paid for by local councils who say that a funding crisis – exacerbated by austerity cuts – limits the amount they can afford.

Carers should not be constrained to providing care in 15-minute slots and they should not receive less than the minimum wage because of non-payment of travel time, Mr Lamb said ahead of the talks.

Those in need of care should not have to endure a “parade of unfamiliar care workers”, he added.

“We need to transform care now for the sake of the 300,000 people currently getting home care and for the millions more who will need it in years to come,” he stressed.

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Taking a break can have a huge impact both on carers and those they care for

June 9, 2013   Carers, carersweek, disability, Norfolk

SANDRINGHAM: Could you get on your bike for Park House?

No Caption ABCDE

Published on 09/06/2013 10:00

Organisers of a charity cycling event being held at Sandringham later this month have said they are pleased with the increasing rate of entries.

More than 200 riders have already signed up to take part in the Cycle Together Sandringham event, which takes place on Sunday, June 23 and will support the work done to provide respite breaks for disabled people at the Park House Hotel on the estate.

And, to mark this week’s National Carers Week, three regular visitors to the hotel have spoken of how important the property is to them.

Jackie Thoday, from Litcham, said: “I regularly stay at Park House to give my husband, who is my carer, a break. He knows I will be looked after with a high level of care from dedicated staff and I go home refreshed.”

Viv Barrett travels all the way from Leighton Buzzard to take advantage of the hotel’s facilities.

She said: “It gives me a holiday with the reassurance of knowing that I am safe, and will be well looked after by good care staff.

“The accommodation is very nice and, as I need to be hoisted the room is fully equipped, including an electric hoist. I cannot fault the care team.”

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Carers struggle to exercise lasting power of attorney

June 9, 2013   Carers, carersweek, disability, Older care

As Carers Week highlights the unpaid workforce of 6.5 million we look at one of many frustrations: getting banks to recognise your lasting power of attorney

 

Jarina Choudhury cares for her mother Jubeda but sorting out legal issues just adds to the stress.

The number of unpaid carers in the UK, who shoulder the responsibility of looking after a frail, ill or disabled friend or relative, stands at 6.5 million, and is set to rocket in the next couple of decades, according to figures from Carers UK.

“We estimate that it will hit 9 million by 2037 as a result of our ageing population, and the fact that people are living longer with disabilities and long-term health conditions,” says Steve McIntosh, policy manager for Carers UK. “More and more of us will need help and advice to cope with the pressures caring puts on our careers and on family finances.”

The number of carers providing free support has already climbed by 600,000, or around 11%, in the past decade. This hidden army, which saves the nation a staggering £119bn each year, is the focus of Carers Week, starting on 10 June, which is a partnership of nine charities aimed at increasing awareness of the emotional, physical and financial impact of taking on this role.

Carers often find their income takes a hit if they have to give up work or reduce hours to look after a loved one, as well as tackling a range of other financial considerations. “These include arranging payment of household bills for the person they’re caring for, applying for financial support and benefits on their behalf, or managing their different bank accounts, pensions, savings or debts,” says McIntosh.

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