Category Archives: Older care

The importance of social care to elderly people in Wales

September 10, 2012   Carers, Older care, Wales

Bill has the potential to ward off problems in the provision of social care

Amy Clifton outlines the importance of social care to elderly people in Wales

IT IS widely acknowledged that the existing arrangements for providing care in Wales are struggling under increasing pressure and a lack of resources.

Quality of services, eligibility criteria for care services and the amount that people pay for those services vary significantly across Wales.

In most local authorities today, people with low, moderate, and often substantial care needs do not receive any support from care authorities.

Unpaid carers – the majority of whom are aged over 50, currently provide 96% of care in communities across Wales.

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Trial for ‘Big Brother’ care system

September 5, 2012   Carers, Older care

A benign “Big Brother” house that watches over its old, disabled or vulnerable residents is undergoing trials in the UK.

About a dozen homes in Scotland have been fitted with an array of sensors, motion detectors, microphones and digital cameras linked to intelligent software.

If the system spots anything unusual that may indicate a problem, it sends an alarm signal to a network of on-call carers.

It not only spots dramatic events, such as a fall, but also subtle changes in behaviour over time – for instance, going to bed unusually early or skipping meals. Video footage is password protected and can only be viewed by authorised individuals.

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Carers urged to look for support

August 31, 2012   Carers, Older care

Carers need a break as well otherwise they end up making themselves ill and becoming the one who needs caring for

By Ian Dipple 31/08 Updated: 31/08 09:45

 Mayor Alan Mason with Peter Nash, of Age UK, cafe manager Pebbles Crompton, Helen Simmons, of Crossroads Care and Rosie Powell from Carers Careline. Photo by Marcus Mingins 3212005MMR

THE MAYOR of Redditch has urged the borough’s carers to seek help.

Coun Alan Mason said it was important people looking after loved ones were not too proud to look for and accept the wealth of support on offer, especially so-called ‘hidden carers’ who consider themselves to only be doing their duty.

Mr Mason looks after his wife Nina, who has difficulty walking, but he admitted until recently he was one of those who had never considered himself to be a carer.

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