Battle launched to end isolation of rural elderly

September 3, 2013   Carers, Older care, Social care

Facing the problem of social isolation among the elderly in parts of rural North Yorkshire

Steps being taken to try to tackle the problem of social isolation among the elderly in parts of rural North Yorkshire are to be discussed by health chiefs at a meeting this week.

The county has a large number of older people living in the county with an estimated 20.3 per cent of the population of the county aged 65 or over in 2010, compared with a national average of 16.5 per cent.

In Harrogate and its surrounding rural district, health bosses say 27 per cent of the population is aged 60 and over compared to the national average of 22.4 per cent. With figures for the over-65s in this part of the county set to rise by 19 per cent by 2021, health chiefs will meet this week to discuss a project that aims to tackle the issue.

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Help us get ‘on song’ in Carers’ Choir bid

September 3, 2013   Carers
We need you to vote for us PLEASE
posterWe’re vying for your votes in a bid to bring the power of singing to carers across Leicestershire, after being shortlisted to receive Big Lottery funding to set up a ‘Leicestershire Carers’ Choirs’ project.

However, the project will only go ahead if YOU vote in the Leicester Mercury between Monday 2 September and Monday 16 September 2013.

Simply pick up a copy of the newspaper between those dates, fill out the coupon voting for our Leicestershire Carers’ Choirs project and send it in to the address provided in the paper.

The musical venture would see us setting up two choirs in Leicestershire aimed at giving carers a break whilst participating in something joyful, uplifting and rewarding.

There are over 65,000 unpaid carers in Leicestershire (2001 census) and our Support for Carers project helps over 2,000 carers across the county. Research shows that carers generally make little time for themselves and can be isolated, vulnerable and prone to depression.

We plan to set up two choirs in the Oadby & Wigston and Hinckley & Bosworth districts –  areas that have a high concentration of unpaid carers. If the year-long pilot scheme is successful, we would like to take Leicestershire Carers’ Choirs to other locations across the county to reach out to more people.

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Darlington pensioner faces £750 vet bill after cat’s tail jams in stairlift

September 2, 2013   Carers

81-year-old, who lives alone and receives daily support from carers

7:00am Monday 2nd September 2013 in News By Alexa Copeland, Reporter (Darlington)

Maisie Wilkinson pictured with Tilly who got her tail caught in the stairlift Maisie Wilkinson pictured with Tilly who got her tail caught in the stairlift

A FRAIL pensioner has been left with a £750 bill after an out-of-hours vet treated her cat when its tail jammed in a stairlift.

Firefighters who dismantled the stairlift at Maisie Wilkinson’s Darlington home to free feline Tilly are now holding a whipround to help out.

The 81-year-old, who lives alone and receives daily support from carers, was charged £753.56 by the Vets Now service.

Her son Tony is angered at the size of the charge – which involved Tilly’s late night collection by a vet and overnight care.

Next day she was transferred to the PDSA veterinary charity in Middlesbrough who amputated Tilly’s injured tail free of charge.

“I don’t know how they can justify the cost,” said Mr Wilkinson, 61.

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