Tag Archives: Older care

How Much Care is Enough?

April 10, 2014   Carers, Older care

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.

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Older people in NHS care suffering in silence.

April 7, 2014   Carers, Older care, Social care
Dame Julie Mellor believes over-65s either fear a backlash if they raise issues or don’t like making fuss

Dame Julie Mellor, the parliamentary and health service ombudsman

Dame Julie Mellor, the parliamentary and health service ombudsman. Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Older people might be “suffering in silence” under NHS care because they are reluctant to complain about the care they receive, the parliamentary and health service ombudsman for England has said.

Dame Julie Mellor believes over-65s either fear a backlash if they raise issues or don’t like making fuss, meaning watchdogs are only seeing the tip of the iceberg of serious failings.

“Older people are some of the most frequent users of the NHS but they are less likely to complain about treatment and care when standards slip to unacceptable levels,” Mellor said in an article for the Daily Mail on Monday.

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Identifying and supporting informal carers

April 6, 2014   bereavement, Carers, family, Older care, Scotland

Carers need to be encouraged to see themselves as carers

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Young carer

Image credit: Produnis

In this guest post, Dr Emma Carduff and Dr Anne Finucane, co-authors on a new paper published today in BMC Family Practice explain why it’s important to support the carers of people approaching the end of their lives.

Approx. 10% of the UK population have an unpaid caring role for a family member or friend. Many of these carers make a significant contribution to supporting people who are approaching the end of their lives.  With increasing numbers of older and frailer people in the population, informal carers will play a vital role in caring for family members as health deteriorates and end of life approaches. In particular, care from informal carers, who are generally family members, is essential for those who wish to be cared for in their own home.

Carers can experience poor physical and psychosocial wellbeing, yet they remain largely unsupported by health and social services. It is essential that carers are supported both to  maintain their own health and wellbeing and to care for their family member or friend. However, before they can be supported, carers need to be identified.

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