Tag Archives: carers
Four out of 10 elderly needing care shut out of system as rules toughened up unofficially
Almost 40 per cent of elderly people who would have qualified for care in recent years now excluded after social workers ordered to apply tougher eligibility tests unofficially, report concludes
More than 450,000 frail elderly and disabled people who would until recently have received state-funded care have been shut of the system because of pressure to cut numbers, a stark new report concludes.
The academic study, published as MPs prepare to debate the Government’s long-awaited overhaul of care, found that almost 40 per cent of those who would have had some help with basic tasks such as washing and dressing less than a decade ago are now left to fend for themselves.
It comes as an alliance of 75 charities warned that the Government’s good intentions in overhauling the system risk being completely undermined by a “black hole” in funding for social care.
The report, by researchers at the London School of Economics, describes cuts in the last two years alone as “without precedent in the history of adult social care”.
It warns that the care system is now caught in a “vicious circle” with fewer and fewer people receiving help at home but more and more likely to have to turn to the NHS – something which could ultimately cost the taxpayer more.
We need help now to fight this illness
COUPLE: Ray and Jean Boswell are united in their battle against the ravages of dementia.
5:10pm Saturday 14th December 2013 in News By James Connell
But Ray Boswell, aged 75, of Stourport, says those with the disease and their carers need support “here and now” to cope with the impact of the devastating degenerative brain illness. Prime Minister David Cameron said a cure could be “within our grasp” when he addressed scientists, politicians and campaigners at the dementia summit in London this week, called by the UK as part of its year-long chairmanship of the G8.
Mr Cameron wants the Government to double public, commercial and charitable research and development in dementia, from £66 million in 2015, to £132 million by 2025. He said the world should be “just as resolute” in tackling dementia as it had been in the past against malaria, cancer, HIV and Aids.
Carers missing out on £1.6m in support
Hidden carers are failing to claim the support they are entitled to.
CARERS across Redditch are missing out on more than £1.6million of support because they do not know they are entitled to it.
A total of 522 people in the borough are failing to claim carers allowance according to figures released to mark Carers Rights Day.
The benefit is worth £59.75 a week – or £3,107 a year – and is available to people aged 16 and over who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for their loved one.
There are 8,889 carers in Redditch looking after a loved one with the numbers having increased by over 1,000 in the last decade.
But charities say there are many more so-called hidden carers who are failing to claim the support they are entitled to either through a lack of advice or because they do not class themselves as a carer and instead consider it their responsibility or part of family duty.
