Tag Archives: cancer
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.
Hidden carers miss out on £1,000s in benefits help
Guy Anker
News Editor
Many on low incomes who care for loved ones or friends are entitled to over £3,000 a year in the carer’s allowance alone, plus the fact they’re in that position may trigger eligibility for other benefits.
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There are approximately six million carers in the UK. However, huge numbers don’t claim.
Benefits charity Elizabeth Finn Care estimates 300,000 people who are eligible do not claim carer’s allowance.
Other non-financial support is also sometimes available from local authorities and charities to those who ask for help.
Cancer charity Macmillan says over a million people caring for someone with cancer miss out on vital support, which may go beyond straightforward state handouts.
Brain tumour charities lobby Parliament
Charities lobbied Parliament last week, asking MPs to join the fight against brain tumours.
MPs were encouraged to improve awareness about brain tumours by pledging to sign an Early Day Motion, signing an e-petition, and to do more to promote awareness of brain tumours in their constituencies and to participate in meetings of the All Party Brain Tumour Group. Several Members of Parliament were photographed signing a Brain Tumour Pledge to help raise the issues with Parliament (Conservative MP Andrew Selous is pictured above).
