New research says many carers have reached ‘breaking point’
Carers are “pushed to the brink,”
First published 01:35 Thursday 11 September 2014 in Bradford Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Photograph of the Author by Rob Lowson, T&A Reporter
MANY people acting as carers for older or disabled loved ones have reached “breaking point”, new research has revealed.
A study of more than 5,000 carers by the charity Carers UK has found that six out of ten are being “pushed to the brink,” with a quarter requiring some form of medical treatment due to their role, 63 per cent suffering from depression, and 79 per cent from some form of anxiety.
The Norwich bus service that provides vital help for disabled people
The Norwich Door To Door community mobility bus, which transports the elderly and disabled to the supermarket.
Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
Catherine Morris-Gretton Wednesday, September 10, 2014
1:26 PM
Norwich Door to Door community bus provides a vital service for disabled people. As part of a series of features about the organisation, reporter Catherine Morris-Gretton went out on one of the buses to meet the people who rely on the service.
It may only be early September, but a group of friends who met on the Norwich Door to Door bus has already booked a Christmas meal.
Passengers also arrange their own monthly meet-ups and pass on jigsaw puzzles to each other, seeing the service as much more than just a mode of transport.
Chief medical officer: Make mental health bigger priority
Society has not recognised the prevalence of mental ill health, says Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies
9 September 2014 Last updated at 08:54
Mental health needs to be more of a priority, with targets for waiting times and more protection for funding, says England’s chief medical officer.
Dame Sally Davies said there were signs funding was being cut at a time when the cost to the economy was rising.
Her annual report said mental illness led to the loss of 70 million working days last year – up 24% since 2009.
As well as calling for greater emphasis on mental illness in the NHS, she also said employers could play a role too.
She recommended they allowed people with mental health problems the option of flexible working to keep them in employment and maintaining regular contact during sickness leave.
