Personal Care at Home Bill
The Times, The Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, Ananova, MSN UK , Tiscali and Channel 4 News report that the Secretary of State’s planned care reforms will result in spending cuts on research, development and public health promotions. (25, 26 Nov)
In his commentary in The Times, Nigel Edwards advocates funding care and support with social insurance.
In The Guardian, David Brindle writes that we need to find out more about how AA and DLA are used before we defend the current system. (25 Nov)
The Daily Mail reports that government funding for dementia research has fallen. Discussing the same story, The Times asks how Gordon Brown’s promise of free care at home for the elderly will be funded. (27 Nov)
General Care
In response to a previous letter criticising his stance, Lord Lipsey writes in The Times that his position on residential care is that each individual should be able to make an informed choice about what is best for them in old age. (23 Nov)
The Guardian announces its Public Services Awards. Winners include:
–Sheffield City Council for its overhaul of its care services for older people
-The University of York’s ‘Minds in Motions’ program which encourages undergraduates to volunteer with dementia patients and their carers
-Cornwall’s Arts for Health team, which enables older people to participate in creative activities
–Carers Direct, which has supported carers by centralising information and setting up a helpline. (25 Nov)
The Evening Standard reports that a pensioner has died after 6 months of neglect at a care home. (26 Nov)
Financial Times writes that insurers are now offering more flexible terms on plans that cover the cost of care in later life, including money-back guarantees. (28 Nov)
The Observer reports that thousands of families in Wales who were overcharged for care home fees may miss the deadline for backdated claims. (29 Nov)
Dementia in the press
The Daily Telegraph reports on the story of a 90-year-old woman with dementia who died after wandering away from her care home wearing only a thin dress. (23 Nov)
In The Guardian, Roger Fisken responds to criticisms of hospital staff over their treatment of those with dementia, saying that difficulties arise from a lack of information and time. (24 Nov)
Following on from the Minister for Care Services’ announcement of fundamental changes in the treatment of dementia patients, The Guardian investigates how better health and social care could meet the human rights agenda. (25 Nov)
The Daily Telegraph covers Sir Gerry Robinson’s description of care homes’ treatment of dementia patients in Britain as ‘appalling’. (28 Nov)
The Mail on Sunday includes a question-and-answer feature on dementia and how it can be distinguished from depression. (29 Nov)