Category Archives: Uncategorized

Should carers get a full-time salary for their efforts?

Published date: 07 November 2013 |

Published by: Rhian Waller 

IT’S National Carers Rights Day on November 29.

Many Flintshire and Wrexham carers contacted the Leader to mark the day, which aims to promote the rights of people undertaking care duties.

But as more and more people contacted the paper, it became apparent many carers fear they are viewed as “scroungers” putting a financial drain on the state.

Now they aim to set the record straight.

West Sussex carers to have health check-ups at home

Carers living in West Sussex will now have access to a new service to help them improve their own health.

Published on the 05 November 2013 20:00

TEMPLATE

The Sussex Community NHS Trust’s Carers Health Team will visit carers in their own home and check on their general state of health and wellbeing.

Wilma Thomas, Carers Health Team manager at the Trust, said: “Many carers report a decline in health since becoming a carer and some might not even have time to visit their GP for a check-up.

“Our new service means we can support carers in their own home and give them practical advice and support about everything from safe moving and handling techniques to managing medication and eating healthily.

“Long-term we hope that this support will also benefit the person being cared for.”

There are an estimated 84,000 unpaid carers based in West Sussex – which save the county around £1 billion per year, according to the latest figures.

Peter Catchpole, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for Adult Social Care and Health, said looking after carers’ needs is a ‘key priority’ for the county council.

How caring for a dying parent can be the greatest achievement of your life:

In an age when so many consider elderly relatives a burden, one man’s inspiring account

  • Charlie Otterly cared for his mother for 13 years after she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma
  • The TV presenter doesn’t regret one moment of the time spent looking after her 
  • Jessica Ottely died in 2009 after fulfilling her dreams of visiting Macchu Picchu

By Charlie Ottley

|

 

Jessica Ottley was 44 when she gave birth to son Charlie, pictured here aged 6 months

When I was born, my mother, Jessica, was 44.

I think the last thing she or my dad had expected when they sent off my 13-year-old brother, Richard, to boarding school was the prospect of changing dirty nappies yet again.