Tag Archives: carers
Pressures on unpaid carers as care cap system excludes all but a few.
Care cap becoming ‘irrelevant’ as ‘crisis-mode’ system excludes all but a few, report finds
The number of elderly people receiving help with their care has dropped by a fifth in just four years as cash-strapped councils have begun “rationing” support only to those at “crisis-point”, a report by a leading think-tank shows.
By John Bingham, Social Affairs Editor 12:01AM BST 21 May 2013
A total of 231,000 fewer elderly people are receiving help with their care than four years ago despite a surge in the numbers reaching old age.
The report welcomes the reforms being implement in the wake of the landmark Dilnot Commission to prevent people being forced to sell their homes.
Carers hit out as lifeline support service is cut by 75 per cent
WEST NORFOLK: Carers hit out as lifeline is cut
Carers say they are saved from depression by a “lifeline” support service which is losing 75 per cent of its funding.
West Norfolk Mind is looking at ways to maintain its carers support service after Norfolk County Council is slashing its budget.
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) called for carers to be routinely screened for the signs of depression last week.
The charity has seen funding for the carers service go from £60,000 to £15,000. It supports 70 people who are caring for relatives with mental health issues.
Chief executive Eddie West-Burnham is calling on the county to take note of the RCGP’s comments.
He said: “For some carers, our service means everything. Some say they would not be able to carry on without the support.
The ‘forgotten’ carers battling to cope alone:
Almost two million are missing out on vital support because they do not consider themselves carers
- Nearly half of carers are worse off by £5,000 a year
- A quarter of carers have had to spend their savings to cover the costs
By Jenny Hope
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Almost two million carers may be missing out on vital support because they are ‘under the radar’ of official figures, it is feared.
As many as 1.75million of the 6.5million Britons who have responsibilities for looking after loved ones do not consider themselves as carers, says a report.
They are therefore failing to apply for a range of help available to them from local authorities and the health service, as well as charities.
The demands of the role can affect their health and well-being as well as their finances, with nearly half worse off by £5,000 a year.
The report from the Scottish Widows think-tank the Centre for the Modern Family reveals almost one in three adults – 15million Britons – supports friends or family without financial reward in some way.
Most willingly do so and see the role as part of their family duty.
