Tag Archives: Older care
Is this the loneliest generation?
Carers feel lonely
Sunday 13 January 2013
Government officials have been ordered to find out exactly how lonely Britain’s population is, amid concerns that “the most isolated generation ever” will overwhelm the NHS.
The Department of Health is attempting to measure the extent of “social isolation” in the UK, after warnings that it has sparked spiralling levels of illnesses including heart disease, high blood pressure, dementia and depression.
Research has revealed that loneliness is a growing problem in the UK – particularly among the elderly – with one in three admitting that they sometimes feel lonely. Among older people, more than half live alone, 17 per cent are in contact with family, friends and neighbours less than once a week, and almost five million say the television is their main form of company.
However, the trend is expected to worsen in the coming years. The Office for National Statistics disclosed last year that the number of Britons living alone has risen to a record 7.6 million – one million more than in 1996 and amounting to almost one in three households.
But beyond the personal problems the “loneliness epidemic” presents, ministers have been put on alert over its wider impact – and financial costs. Loneliness is blamed for piling more pressure on to health and social care services, because it can increase the risk of complaints including heart disease and blood clots. Experts also believe it encourages people to exercise less and drink more – and ultimately go to hospital more often and move into residential care at an earlier stage.
Help stop the elderly care funding crisis and sign Make Dilnot Happen by 2015 petition
Make Dilnot Happen by 2015
By Marijke Cox, Reporter Friday, January 11, 2013
1:22 PM
Kent County Council leader Paul Carter is calling for the care cost cap to be implemented by 2015
Pauline Turner and her mother AnnieOUTspoken County Hall leader Paul Carter has demanded the Government cut foreign aid and EU budgets, and divert funds to elderly people to stop them having to sell their homes to pay for care.
The senior Tory criticised the “lack of commitment” shown by the Coalition, which has dithered over introducing recommendations outlined by the Dilnot commission to reform adult social care funding.
Under the current system, elderly people, including those suffering debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer’s, are forced to sell their homes and use savings to pay for care costs.
As a result, many who have worked every day of their lives and never relied on state benefits are left with nothing.
Cllr Carter said the current funding system was “not up to the job” and demanded Prime Minister David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg resolve the crisis.
He has launched a Government e-petition with the leaders of Hampshire and Buckinghamshire county councils calling on Whitehall to introduce recommendations outlined by the Dilnot commission.
Cold snap poses ‘significant health risks’ to elderly
Cold snap poses ‘significant health risks’ to elderly, says Health Department
Severe cold weather and snow forecast for this weekend could cause ‘significant health risks’ for the elderly, the Department of Health warned, as they advised families to keep check on vulnerable relatives.
3:53PM GMT 10 Jan 2013
In the next two to three days there is a high chance of severe cold weather, icy conditions and heavy snow across large swathes of the country, according to the Health Department.
It said cold weather can be “dangerous”, particularly for the very young and very old, and that the conditions could give rise to “signficant health risks.”
The Met Office this morning issued a cold weather level two alert, the third most severe warning, with forecasters warning temperatures could reach as low as -9C in the early part of next week.
Families were advised to keep a close eye on elderly relatives as well as young children, who are particularly vulnerable in cold patches.
The Met Office said the weather “could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services”.
