War veteran’s plea for help to stay at home
A TERMINALLY-ill war veteran is pleading for more help at home so that he and his wife can stay together.
12:00pm Friday 20th July 2012 in News By Joanna Codd
Until recently, cancer sufferer Bernard Read, 87, of Poole, has looked after his 86-year-old wife Vera, who has dementia – including cooking for her and giving her insulin injections.
But after a recent spell in hospital he is unable to continue giving her the same care.
His prostate cancer has spread to his bones and he has congestive heart failure. He is visited by carers three times a day.
Mr Read said: “My wife doesn’t get any care at all. The main time it is necessary is at night. I can’t get out of bed and my wife is diabetic.
“If she had a hypo I couldn’t do anything about it. She could be downstairs on her own and she’s bad with electrics.
Carers’ ‘huge feelings of guilt’ prevent them taking holidays
Carers can experience “huge feelings of guilt” that prevent them from taking holidays, according to a charity.
A study by disability charity Vitalise found that family carers avoid taking breaks if it would mean they would have to send frail or elderly loved ones into temporary care.
The study, which collated the research conducted by various organisations over five years, shows that almost six out of ten carers (57%) felt guilty about needing to use respite care.
