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Region's carers
putting themselves at risk over respite concerns
CARERS' concern about the
quality of respite care is preventing them from taking up
opportunities for respite breaks and putting their own health at
risk, according to a study by disability charity Vitalise, which
runs the Sandpipers respite break centre in Southport.
In response to this this years Carers Week survey, which highlights the
financial, physical and emotional stresses faced by carers, Vitalise's study has revealed the additional barriers that are
preventing the region's carers from accessing desperately needed
respite breaks for themselves and their loved ones.
There are an estimated 3/4 of a million carers in the North West;
around 1 person in 8; with potentially tens of thousands more who
do not appear in statistics.
The study, which collated the findings of research conducted by
various organisations over the past 5 years, found that 57% of
carers had feelings of worry or guilt about needing to use respite
care and that concerns about the quality of the respite experience
were a significant barrier.
Significantly, the study also found that 7 out of 10 carers felt
that a break from caring, even for a few days, was
'important'
or 'very important' and that carers want more choice and
control over their respite care and short breaks.
To compound the problem, the study also found that many carers don't
see themselves as carers because they are unpaid and consequently
don't realise they are entitled to statutory support. As a
consequence they are unaware that local authority funding for
respite care and short breaks exists and are not taking advantage of
opportunities to take vital time off from caring.
As the population ages and health and social care services are
coming under increasing strain, Vitalise is backing the
recommendations of the Carers Week campaign and urging social care
decision makers to pay more attention to the fundamental issues of
quality and choice in respite care in order to avert a worsening
problem.
A previous Carers Week survey found that 74% of unpaid carers have
reached breaking point due to the pressures of their caring role.
Tellingly, half of all the carers surveyed said that having a break
would or did help when they were at breaking point.
There are currently 10 million people aged 65 and over in the UK and
this number is set to rise to nearly 13 million within five years.
Age-related disability is a major reason why the UK's army of unpaid
carers, currently numbering around 6.5 million, is increasing at a
rate of 6,000 people each day. By 2037 the number of unpaid carers
in the UK is expected to have soared to nine million.
Vitalise Chief Executive Chris Simmonds said:- "We completely
support the Carers Week campaign for better support for carers. The
problems people with disabilities and carers face in accessing
essential support is already well documented, but our study reveals
that there are many more people out there who don't even know they
are carers and are doubly disadvantaged as a result.
What's worse, many family carers have no confidence in the quality
or suitability of the respite care on offer and are not taking up
respite opportunities as a result. In too many cases their fears are
quite justified, so it is not surprising that carers would rather
struggle on at home, risking their own health in the process.
Without the escape valve of regular time off from caring, carers
risk reaching breaking point and ending up sick, depressed, and
facing the very real risk of becoming disabled themselves.
Vitalise has been supporting families affected by disability for 50
years and what we have found is that carers' fears about respite
care can be eased if the focus is on providing high quality care
combined with a dignified, stimulating environment and the chance to
enjoy the company of others. Access to regular, good quality
respite breaks for people with disabilities and those who care for
them should not be considered a luxury but an absolute essential in
enabling families affected by disability to carry on coping."
Vitalise is a national charity providing essential respite breaks
for people with disabilities; including Alzheimer's and dementia;
and carers at Sandpipers and two other accessible centres in
Chigwell in Essex and Southampton. Each centre provides 24 hour
nursing care on call, personal support and a range of accessible
excursions, activities and entertainment. The charity is celebrating
its 50th Anniversary in 2013. |
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Upsteps
Blooms Again
POPULAR Birkdale pub, and
racehorse Red Rum's favourite local, is in bloom again after
re-opening with new management. The Upper Aughton Road venue
is welcoming punters back after lying empty for almost a year. New
manager, Craig Broomhall, is promising a family friendly atmosphere
as he puts his exciting plans into place.
The Upsteps was one of Southport's busiest and most-visited pubs
when racehorse trainer Ginger McCain had his stables a few doors
away. It even saw the three-times Grand National winner parade right
outside its door after one of his many victories.
Said Craig, "I really want to see the Upsteps thrive again. It
had got tired before closing and was a shadow of its former self."
Since he took over 4 months ago, Craig has seen the pub's interior
redecorated, with certain areas named after notable local
characters. One, the Red Rum Room, will have memorabilia and
pictures of the famous mount.
Outside, hanging baskets, window boxes and a programme of repair and
renew works, using local trades people, have started to brighten up
the building.
Commenting on his future plans for the pub, Craig added:-
"We've really put some effort in breathing new life into the 'Uppy'.
We want to involve the local community as much as possible. For
instance, we now have brand new picnic benches in the beer garden,
supplied by local joiner Rob Howard. As well, we do a fresh hot and
cold buffet provided twice a week cooked by Buskers catering
company. Their shop is only down the road from us."
Re-establishing the Upsteps bucks a national trend that has seen
thousands of community pubs close over the last decade. This concurs
with Craig's comment that, on returning to the 'Uppy', many
former regulars have said that they thought the place had shut for
good.
Mr Broomhall has over 15 years' experience running pub businesses,
notably in the Midlands. His own view on seeing a pub prosper is
simple.
He said:- "All any pub needs is some tlc, friendly staff and a
nice environment to get it going. After that, by having regular
events and offers, it brings new types of punters in, some of whom
may never have visited the pub before. We have lined up and
are running lots of new things. We've got theme nights planned, a
live band every Saturday, as well as hosting family fun days once a
month too. This means it will be a venue for everyone."
In a nod to the town's real ale drinkers, Craig has added 2
traditional cask ales to the drinks menu and promises to update them
regularly.
Further new developments include the pub's first football team, to
play in the local leagues at weekends. And in the newly refurbished
beer garden, families may even get to see the pub's smallest
residents, rabbits Apache and Bolt.
Last chance to get your tickets
for FHS75 Ball!
FORMBY High School will be launching a season of 75th
anniversary celebrations later this month with a spectacular
Hollywood themed event.
The FHS75 Ball will bring together staff, alumni and friends in
celebration and reflection on Saturday, 29 June 2013, at Formby Hall Golf
Club.
Guests will enjoy cocktails on arrival, a delicious three course
dinner, a charity auction for Alder Hey Children's Charity, dancing
and live music.
In keeping with the glamorous theme and black tie dress code, the
school's performing arts students will be staging a spectacular
cabaret performances inspired by James Bond!
Tickets for tables of 8 to 12 or individuals are now available from the
main school office but are selling quickly. To find out more
please call:- 01704 873 100 or visit:-
formby.sefton.sch.uk. |
