| Posted: January 17, 2015
Whatever their title, for millions of over-50s in Britain there is an unseen cost to life and their finances
when they look after loved ones.
Research by Saga Personal Finance shows that nearly a fifth of Britain’s over-50s regularly care for an elderly loved one or friend, without financial reward, in their own home or at another location.
Pat Phelan (left) with her daughter Lesley Evans. Picture: Matthew Usher.
Kim Briscoe Monday, January 12, 2015
6:30 AM
A music teacher with a passion for helping people with dementia has come up with a musical toolkit to help families, friends and healthcare professionals communicate more effectively with those affected by the disease.
Using autobiographical collections of the music and sounds which have coloured their lives, volunteers help people who have been newly-diagnosed with dementia to create a Music Mirror which can be used to engage them as the disease progresses.
More than a quarter of Fife’s army of unpaid carers are spending at least 50 hours per week looking after others, it has been revealed.
The majority of those with the biggest burden are pensioners, although many are younger with homes and families to look after.
Those spending long hours caring have reported the strain is affecting their health, prompting calls for better support for carers.
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