Category Archives: Older care

Many vulnerable people denied care, says Age UK

March 6, 2014   Carers, Older care, ukcuts

A “catastrophic” situation is developing in England

By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News

Man climbs stairs

A “catastrophic” situation is developing in England with many vulnerable elderly people being denied care, campaigners say.

An analysis by Age UK found the proportion of over-65s getting help had fallen by a third since 2005-6.

Last year, under 900,000 over-65s got help – one in 10 people in that group – compared with 15% seven years ago.

The review – based on published data – estimated at least 800,000 older people were going without vital help.

This includes council-funded help in the home with daily tasks such as washing, dressing and eating as well as care home places.

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Will eldercare be as common as childcare?

February 26, 2014   Carers, family, Older care

By Andrew Bomford BBC Radio 4’s PM programme

A number of major employers are offering “eldercare” – help with looking after older relatives. Will this soon be as common as providing help with childcare?

Just before Christmas 2012 Deborah Gemmell realised she was a carer.

Deborah’s 82-year-old mother, Pauline Cuthbert – “feisty, independent – she has a better social life than I do” – fell and broke her nose. The accident shook Pauline’s confidence. She wouldn’t leave her house in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, in case she fell again.

Deborah, who lived a two-hour drive away, would have to take time off work to accompany Pauline to hospital appointments. She had a back-up plan – an eldercare package offered by her employer, giving up to 20 days assistance a year from a registered carer who could take her mother to her clinic.

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Almost three-quarters of people fear living standards will fall in old age

February 26, 2014   Carers, Older care
Older people, carers and professionals say the government is unprepared for the challenges of our ageing population, survey finds
Life is no picnic for many older people.

“We’re an old country – with our best years ahead of us.” That’s how David Cameron once characterised Britain, as he set out his vision to “defuse the demographic timebomb” and use its energy to power the country forward. Yet new research for the Guardian shows many older people do not share his optimism about the future of our rapidly ageing society, amid growing concern about pensions, health and social care, rising living costs and marginalisation.

The survey shows that just 29% felt the standard of living of older people in the UK was currently at a good level, compared with 46% who disagreed. And the long-term outlook is even gloomier: just over 11% expect older people’s standard of living to improve over the next 20 years, against 79% who disagree. Over 70% do not believe older people’s overall quality of life will rise in the next two decades, compared with under 16% who do.

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