Tag Archives: carers
‘I cut Mum’s care home fees by £15,000 a year’
A Telegraph reader challenged her mother’s care home and it agreed to cut its fees by £289 per week. Here is how you can do the same
If you challenge the costs of a care home you may just land yourself – or the family member who is paying – a substantial discount. That is what happened to Susan Stressing, who, having read a report in The Telegraph in January, decided to make inquiries about the care home bill she was paying for her mother, Kathleen Willett.
Mrs Willett’s bill has now been reduced by £289 a week. That equates to a saving of more than £15,000 a year.
The case emerges as the cost of care homes continues to rise steeply, and as criticism grows of the Government’s plans to reform care funding. Legislation to introduce a “lifetime care fees cap”, which would limit care costs paid by any individual to £72,000, is going through Parliament now. It is supposed to become effective next year. The cap excludes accommodation and other costs, and so could still see people paying well over the proposed £72,000 limit.
How Much Care is Enough?
Contributed by Lawrence Henderson
Psychology major
Carers have one of the most difficult jobs in the world. Perhaps this is why the carer role can result in such a high amount of burnout and confusion for those who fill the role. Determining and delivering care in a way that is respectful of both the needs of the patient and the abilities and limitations of the carer is very important. This usually requires a strategic approach; it is important to create a care plan between family members and the entire care or medical team.
There's a better way to support disabled people – listen to us, for starters
Disabled people are being failed in every way by employment and support allowance and the Work Programme. The Spartacus network’s new report has an alternative vision
Sue Marsh
The Guardian, Wednesday 9 April 2014
Disabled people protest hardest hit
Disabled people protest at Westminster against cuts in their benefits Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian
Employment and support allowance (ESA), the benefit that provides support if you are too ill or become so disabled that you cannot work, is failing on every level.
