Welcome to the Long Term Care System.
Sadly a serious injury, a progressive or debilitating illness, or disability can happen to anyone, young or old, at any time. Or, you could just get old and frail. Then the simple activities of daily life you have taken for granted become more challenging as the illness or disability advances and the need for long term care increases.
Although the events leading up to that need are many and varied, things which have to be sorted out urgently are not unique. No matter your age, gender, marital status, cultural background, or religious values the problems are pretty universal.
What we are looking for then is a long-term care system?
What are the best care options open to me?
What happens if I need crisis care?
Where can I find out more?
Carers funds 'lost in the system'
Charities claim that millions set aside to provide desperately-needed short term breaks for carers is not getting through to those who need it most. Many health trusts and do not even know whether they have received the money, while others are spending it on different projects. The major problem is that the funds are not "ring fenced" and the government has failed to direct the Primary Care Trusts how to spend the allocation.
One couple is desperate for more help. In theory this should be a golden age for them. After a lifetime of hard work, they are entitled to think about enjoying their retirement. But what may be routine for many pensioners is only a distant dream for them. Weekends away, quality time with grandchildren and perhaps the occasional cruise with friends is far beyond their reach.
They are carers - part of that vast unpaid army of nearly six million people across the UK who spend some - or even most - of their time looking after ill or vulnerable relatives. And in their case it is clearly taking its toll. Even the tiny carer's allowance is snatched away when they qualify for old age pension.
Her mother has advanced dementia and is in care. Her father has terminal cancer and the couple spend most of their time looking after him. It is something they do without complaining because they love their parents. And they do it because they feel it's the right thing to do. She says:-
You don't have your own life, you lose your identity.
You go to bed at night and don't want to wake up in the morning.
To be a carer, it's 24 hours a day.
You're isolated.
You lose all your friends.
You go into a black hole you can't get out of.
That's caring.
The government launched its National Carers Strategy in 2008 with an additional £150m available over two years to provide short-term breaks away from such a demanding job, but national charities that support carers say the money, channelled through local primary care trusts (PCTs), is not getting through.
The charities - Carers UK, Crossroads and the Princess Royal Trust - believe the allocations have been 'lost within overall budgets'.
So far 35 trusts contacted by carers' groups say they will not be spending any new money this year and 26 say they are still considering what to do, even though their budgets for this year have been set. The three charities have written to National Health Service chief executive David Nicholson urging him to remind Primary Care Trusts of their duty bearing in mind that the government has identified help for carers as a high priority.
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