Tag Archives: carers
Carers champion uses Facebook to help heroes
A NEW carers tsar
The city’s new ‘carers champion’, Norman Work
A NEW carers tsar is to use Facebook to reach thousands of unsung youngsters across Edinburgh who look after disabled or elderly relatives.
Councillor Norman Work, a former vice-convener for social care and housing, has become Scotland’s first “carers champion” – a post established as part of the council coalition agreement between Labour and the SNP.
One of his first steps will be to connect with the Capital’s hidden army of young carers via such social media platforms as Facebook, to make them aware of the vital support services aware to them.
He said: “We’re looking at being as accessible as possible.”
Cllr Work, whose role will see him engage with carers and act as their voice within City Chambers, recently held his first meeting with organisations representing the tens of thousands of people in the city who look after a friend or family member for free.
Following the meeting, he said he is particularly keen to engage with children who look after a parent or sibling but may not be receiving the help they are entitled to.
How Sharon became a carer as well as a wife
SHARON Armstrong’s life changed forever when her husband was diagnosed with working age dementia.
SHARON Armstrong’s life changed forever when her husband was diagnosed with working age dementia.
The 56-year-old of Synge Close, Clifton, became a carer as well as a wife.
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Daily struggles: Steven Armstrong, 60, from Clifton, who has dementia.
She said: “I noticed things just around the house, he was leaving taps running and his co-ordination went.
“He puts his clothes on the wrong way round and has total disorientation when he goes out.
“He can’t remember what he wants to tell you.
Her husband Steven was diagnosed in March of 2012, aged 59, and is now unable to play the sports he loves or drive his car.
His condition also means that he has recurring nightmares and can hallucinate in the daytime.
Sharon said: “Steven’s not the person I married. It’s like someone’s chopped off my arm or I’ve been bereaved. It’s not the same as it was.
“He feels resentful and it comes out in family life sometimes.”
Sharon, who works part-time for the city council, said the working age dementia scheme has given them a new lease of life.
‘I have seen a lot of people who look after a dementia patient become sick and even die’
‘I have seen a lot of people who look after a dementia patient become sick and even die’ – Joan Woolard
Carers in Holbeach who look after relatives 24/7 will get extra support each month in response to a growing need.
Littlebury Patients Participation Group (LPPG Outreach) is extending its drop-in sessions from once a month on Mondays to twice monthly, beginning on Wednesday.
Treasurer Joan Woolard said: “Our aim is to provide relief from the isolation of caring for someone at home or from the loneliness of being unable to get out and mix socially through disability.”
The group is one of a number in the county offering support to carers – and with life expectancy increasing, the need is expected to grow.
