WESTMINSTER “THERE’S NO MONEY FOR CARE IN SEFTON” MEETING CONTRAVENES “NO MONEY IS NOT AN EXCUSE” HIGH COURT RULING.

SEFTON CARE ASSOCIATION

PRESS RELEASE

May 22, 2012.

WESTMINSTER “THERE’S NO MONEY FOR CARE IN SEFTON” MEETING CONTRAVENES “NO MONEY IS NOT AN EXCUSE” HIGH COURT RULING.

Sefton Care Association (SCA) has been told “there is no money” to pay for the shortfall and backdating of care fees frozen by Sefton Borough Council – in direct contravention of a High Court ruling that says “no money is not an excuse”.

Members of SCA met with Care Minister Paul Burstow, John Pugh MP, Sefton Borough Council Chief Executive Margaret Carney and other officials in Westminster, but before SCA could put its case, the “there’s no money” line was delivered.

“As soon as that was said we realised that not only was our meeting a waste of time, but also that the situation had not been properly researched,” said Dan Lingard of Sefton Care Association.

“As the meeting was conducted under Chatham House Rules, we can’t say who said there was no money – but it was said nevertheless.

“Sefton Council has already defied a High Court ruling and told care home owners and the borough’s vulnerable that it will be freezing care fees for both 2011/12 and 2012/13, a dispute which led to SCA committee members being invited to Westminster to discuss the issue.

“But it’s clear there was no intention of arriving at any sort of a conclusion in that meeting which would be of any benefit to people needing care, or care home owners and operators – especially when we were told ‘there’s no money’.

“But what people in the meeting seemed to have lost sight of is that the High Court ruling in November 2011 said that lack of resources is no excuse for not fulfilling care obligations.”

In paragraph 90 of the ruling, His Honour Judge Raynor QC, sitting as a judge of the High Court, quoted an earlier precedent and ruling: “In paragraph 46(2) of his judgment in the Forest Care Home case, Hickinbottom J stated: ‘In deciding whether a person is in need of care and accommodation, an authority is entitled to have regard to its own limited financial resources. However, having set that threshold and found that a particular person surpasses it, an authority is under an obligation to provide care and accommodation in fulfilment of its section 21 obligations (under the National Assistance 1948), which is a specific duty on the authority owed to an individual, not a target duty: lack of resources is no excuse for non-fulfilment of that obligation…’

“The Claimants (Sefton Care Association) submit that the evidence in this case shows that the decision to freeze fees was taken for budgetary reasons alone or at least to an improper extent, without there being any attempt to balance other factors against the need for financial savings.”

Dan Lingard said: “In other words, no money is not an excuse – care obligations must be fulfilled, and they are not being fulfilled by a freeze in care fees, which, given inflation and other factors, means that not only have care fees been frozen – they’ve actually fallen.”

Judge Raynor ruled that Sefton Council should not have frozen 2011/2012 payment levels to elderly people in care in the borough, and that it did not pay due regard to the actual cost of care in making its unilateral decision. He directed Sefton Council to enter into consultation with local care homes, and to reassess care payments for the 2011/2012 financial year – and establish the actual cost of care by which care fee rates could be set.

But Sefton Council not only ignored the February 9, 2012 deadline to respond, it has also said it will freeze care fees retrospectively, and for the 2012/13 financial year as well – meaning that care fees have been static despite the Retail Prices Index rising nearly 12% in the three years since care fees were last increased.

Ends

For further information:

Iain Macauley 07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

@SeftonCareAssn

SEFTON COUNCIL IGNORES HIGH COURT RULING – AND FREEZES CARE FEES FOR A THIRD YEAR

SEFTON CARE ASSOCIATION

PRESS RELEASE

May 8, 2012.

SEFTON COUNCIL IGNORES HIGH COURT RULING – AND FREEZES CARE FEES FOR A THIRD YEAR.

Sefton Council has defied a High Court ruling and told care home owners and the borough’s vulnerable that it will be freezing care fees for both 2011/12 and 2012/13.

Now Sefton Care Association says that as many as 50% of care homes in the borough may be forced to close, generating massive worry and uncertainty for the families of the area’s frail and vulnerable.

Senior council officers dropped the bombshell to care home owners despite a judge telling the local authority in November 2011 that it must make a decision on reassessment of care fees paid to the most vulnerable people by February 9, 2012.

In a Judicial Review in the High Court in Manchester, His Honour Judge Raynor QC ruled that Sefton Council should not have frozen 2011/2012 payment levels to elderly people in care in the borough, and that it did not pay due regard to the actual cost of care in making its unilateral decision. He directed Sefton Council to enter into consultation with local care homes, and to reassess care payments for the 2011/2012 financial year – and establish the actual cost of care by which care fee rates could be set.

But Sefton council says it will freeze care fees retrospectively, and for the 2012/13 financial year as well – meaning that care fees have been static despite the Retail Prices Index rising nearly 12% in the three years since care fees were last increased.

Sefton Care Association, which represents a large proportion of care homes in the borough, says the implications are massive – not just locally, but potentially nationally as a care-fee-freeze precedent has been effectively set, with local authorities likely to stump up the cost of more Judicial Reviews rather than find the cash to increase care fees. Legal bills for a Judicial Review are a fraction of the shortfall in care fees.

Council officers have also told care home owners that an independent report into the cost of care in Sefton, commissioned by Sefton Care Association and carried out by highly-respected research organisation Laing & Buisson, was “deficient” and that council officials “questioned the significance and reliability of the report”.

But Peter Moore of Sefton Council also then told care home owners that “the report provides more data than our own spread sheet did”.

However, Mark Gilbert of Sefton Care Association, said: “Laing & Buisson (L&B) is the foremost research organisation in the sector, recognised by all levels of government – up to and including ministerial level – as being a provider of accurate, independent and unbiased research.

“The key issues are not just the cost of care, but also homes gaining a reasonable return on capital investment so enabling essential maintenance and upgrading of property and equipment essential for the wellbeing of elderly residents.

“There’s a big gap between the cost of providing care and the level of funds Sefton Council currently allocates: families and those in care are struggling to afford the shortfall between Sefton’s current funding provision level, and the cost of care – care homes are doing everything in their power to bring costs down.

“L&B provided information for four categories of care home client support. Typically, nursing care for a frail older person – many of whom require 24/7 support – has, according to L&B, an actual weekly cost of £626, or £699 if we include a 13% return to cover the cost of maintenance and improvement of the care home. But Sefton Council’s currently frozen weekly care fee rate is £510. It is down to the individual client or their family to make up the difference; care home owners have reached a point where there is simply nothing else to cut.”

Ends

For further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

CARE CRISIS: SEFTON COUNCIL’S OPPORTUNITY OF 1,600 LIFETIMES

SEFTON CARE ASSOCIATION

PRESS RELEASE

January 31, 2012.

CARE CRISIS: SEFTON COUNCIL’S OPPORTUNITY OF 1,600 LIFETIMES.

Sefton Council has the opportunity of 1,600 lifetimes to be the first local authority in the country to properly assess and fund care for the most vulnerable members of society.

That’s the view of Sefton Care Association, which represents a large proportion of care homes in the borough, following a High Court ruling which directed the council to establish the actual cost of care for the elderly in the area.

The opportunity arises following a Judicial Review in the High Court in Manchester in November 2011 in which His Honour Judge Raynor QC ruled that Sefton Council - a typical middle-sized authority - should not have frozen 2011/2012 payment levels to 1,600 elderly people in care in the borough, and that it did not pay due regard to the actual cost of covering care in making its unilateral decision.

He then directed Sefton Council to reassess care payments for the 2011/2012 financial year – but Sefton Care Association sees an opportunity for the council to set a standard and precedent for the rest of the country’s social care budget-holding authorities, not just retrospectively, but also as budget-setting deadlines approach for 2012/2013.

“Those needing care have not had one single positive word of certainty on care and support for as far back as most of us can remember; this is an opportunity for one local authority to change the prioritisation of care provision forever, and get itself a place in history,” said Mark Gilbert, a member of the executive committee of Sefton Care Association.

“Sefton Care Association has brought in Laing and Buisson – a nationally recognised research organisation - which will provide an independent report into the cost of providing care in the borough, a move which the council has not resisted. The key issues are not solely the cost of care, but also homes gaining a reasonable return on capital investment so enabling essential maintenance and upgrading of property and equipment.

“Sefton families with elderly relatives in care, as well as carers and care home operators in the borough, have been appealing to local councillors to reverse the local authority’s stance on paying for care in the area. This is a great opportunity for funding to be assessed in a sensible fashion, and provided at a realistic level.”

Dan Lingard, chairman of Sefton Care Association, added: “There’s a big gap between the cost of providing care and the level of funds Sefton Council currently allocates: families and those in care are struggling to afford the shortfall between Sefton’s current funding provision level, and the cost of care – and the care homes are doing everything in their power to bring costs down. But they’ve reached a point where there is nothing else to cut.

“Sefton Council currently pays a maximum of £510 a week towards funding of nursing care for an individual, but the indications are that the actual cost is in the region of £600 a week. Currently, individuals – many with dementia - and their families have to fund that shortfall, which most would agree is not an acceptable state of affairs.”

Ends

For further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

@Press_Relations

UNLAWFUL LOCAL AUTHORITY CARE BUDGET CUTS: PREPARE FOR THE LEGAL CHALLENGE DELUGE, SAYS SAGA.

DR ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, SAGA.

@SagaRosAltmann

QUOTES.

November 11, 2011.

UNLAWFUL LOCAL AUTHORITY CARE BUDGET CUTS: PREPARE FOR THE LEGAL CHALLENGE DELUGE, SAYS SAGA.

Commenting on this week’s court cases in which at least two local authorities have been told that cutting of freezing fees to cover the cost of social care for the elderly and disabled is unlawful, Dr Ros Altmann, Director-General of over-50s group Saga, said:

“Until the Government properly recognises the need to fund social care properly, these challenges will keep coming and local authorities will remain under pressure. Consider this: A hospital bed costs around £2,000 a week. A week’s social care - whether in a care home or domiciliary - costs between £400 and £700 depending upon needs and location.

”We have to take a step back and consider the bigger picture: in the space of just a few days a number of local authorities have been told that cutting or freezing budgets to spend on the most vulnerable in our society is unlawful. This leaves all councils with a huge problem and will potentially leave local authority budgets in chaos.

“The local authorities have been forced into this position because of cutbacks and austerity measures - they are in a very difficult position; but the victims are the people who are least able to fend for themselves.

“This, now -bearing in mind we are aware of further impending legal challenges and court cases of this nature - surely sends a signal to government and policymakers that the social care funding issue needs to move swiftly to the top of the agenda.

“The cases and judgments this week are individual victories, but they are also precedents for other claims and challenges.

“That means there is now every danger that the social care and legal systems could well be swamped with costly and time-consuming claims and challenges. The key is unlocking and unblocking the social care system with proper investment and commitment, releasing NHS beds by taking the elderly and vulnerable out of hospitals and back into the community, and saving billions of pounds. The sooner we grasp this nettle with proper radical reform, the better.

“Social care must be valued more highly - since it can be just as life-threatening to withhold social care from those who need it, as it would be to withhold medical care.”

Ends

For further information:

Contact: Dr. Ros Altmann - 07545 504 513 or Saga Press Office 01303 771529.

www.saga.co.uk

CQC REPORT: SYSTEM OVERWHELMED - ELDERLY SHOULD BE AT HOME, NOT IN HOSPITAL.

SAGA

QUOTES 
 
October 13, 2011. 

CQC REPORT: SYSTEM OVERWHELMED - ELDERLY SHOULD BE AT HOME, NOT IN HOSPITAL.

 
Commenting on the CQC report into care of the elderly in hospital, Paul Green, head of communications for the over-50s group Saga, said:
 
“There are far too many older people in hospital because of lack of provision of suitable social and medical care in the community. What’s more, the proportion of patients in hospital who are frail and elderly is steadily rising - and they have much greater care needs which sometimes completely overwhelm the hospital staffing resource. 
 
“The key question could well be whether the conditions reported by the CQC are sparked by demoralised staff, poor management or financial pressures – each of which can be addressed – or whether a poor attitude towards the elderly and vulnerable is becoming endemic – which is not so easily addressed. 
 
“The vast majority of nursing staff are caring, conscientious and committed. The one question the report does not appear to answer is why this attitude has developed, and why in some hospitals and not others. 
 
“That it is not common across all hospitals means that there are clearly specific issues at specific hospitals, which provide a solid basis for investigation and redress. 
 
“Nevertheless, it is yet more evidence that the elderly and vulnerable continue to be dealt poor hands when it comes to care and support.” 

Ends

Further information:

For further information:

Saga Press Office
01303 771529.

www.saga.co.uk

Iain Macauley
im@pressrelations.co.uk
07788 978800

DR ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR GENERAL, SAGA

COMMENT

January 26, 2011.

SMALL INCREASE IN CARER SUPPORT WILL SAVE HOSPITALS AND CARE LOCAL AUTHORITIES A FORTUNE.

Dr Ros Altmann, Director General of Saga, commenting on the Alzheimer’s Society report into dementia care, said:

“The Alzheimer’s Society report highlights the paucity of proper care at home for people with dementia and the lack of support for their family carers, which forces too many out of their homes and into care homes.

"Support for carers brings benefits to carers, their loved ones and to the state. There are billions of pounds of potential savings to the public purse if people get care in their home instead of in a care home or hospital.

"We need to revisit the attitude of institutionalisation and consider helping people to provide, or access, home care.

"All three Party Manifestos committed to protect the most vulnerable in society. However, sweeping cuts to local authority budgets threaten the very people the political parties have pledged to protect. If elderly people are forced from their homes prematurely it can have particularly tragic consequences for those that need familiarity and routine to function.”  

  

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.saga.co.uk

 

ACTIVE AT 60 FUNDING – SMALL BUT POTENTIALLY EFFECTIVE LIFE-CHANGER.

DR ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR GENERAL, SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

November 25, 2010.

ACTIVE AT 60 FUNDING – SMALL BUT POTENTIALLY EFFECTIVE LIFE-CHANGER.

Community groups in 30 areas across the country are being invited to bid for a share of £1 million to help older people keep active and make the most of their later lives.

The Government is providing the cash to fund Active at 60, a project that will help older people who are at-risk of loneliness and social isolation.

Dr Ros Altmann, Director General of Saga, said: “We’re sensing a growing momentum and recognition – at long last – of the important part the older generations can play in the community, but also how important it is to provide them with the opportunity to get up and go,” said Dr Ros Altmann, Director General of Saga.

“This is a relatively small fund, but could be massively effective and should be welcomed as a significant potential life-changer. Many people approaching 60 could be as little as two-thirds of the way through their lives, and have a great deal to give – but also need a great deal too.

“Recent research says that because of the increase in incidences of family breakdown, the older generations have fewer close relatives to support and inspire them.

“But a key consideration here is that while this budget is relatively small, it could have a much wider impact – the more active and healthy older people are, the less likely they are to have to rely upon the state for social and health care.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.saga.co.uk

TWELVE JOBS CREATED AT SOUTHPORT’S BIRCH ABBEY, THE UK ’S “MOST ADVANCED DEMENTIA CARE CENTRE”.

BIRCH ABBEY

DEMENTIA CARE SERVICE

PRESS RELEASE

July 21, 2010.

TWELVE JOBS CREATED AT SOUTHPORT’S BIRCH ABBEY, THE UK ’S “MOST ADVANCED DEMENTIA CARE CENTRE”.

Photos and videos here.

Twelve new roles have been created at what is said to be the UK’s most advanced care facility for people living with dementia, the iPersonally Centre at Birch Abbey, Southport (www.iPersonally.co.uk). 

Birch Abbey has moved next door into a new £5 million building on Alexandra Road, Southport, and is recruiting experienced senior grade carers as well those new to the care sector but who have “a positive personality and attitude”.

“New team members will have a unique career opportunity to become specialists in the much-needed field of dementia care services – and Southport and its surrounding area has care running through the genes of its people, so we intend to recruit locally,” said Dan Lingard, Chief Executive and founder of Birch Abbey owner iPersonally.

“At Birch Abbey there’s a number of features and facilities, from technology to activities, never combined anywhere else in the dementia care sector – underpinned by a unique approach and attitude, plus the introduction of our unique day care service.

“It is a fantastic environment for our clients, which makes it a fantastic environment for our team. We have the very best dementia care team in the region and now we have the best environment in which to live and work.

“Right now we have full-time, part-time and ‘bank-work’ opportunities for senior carers, care assistants and care apprentices – it's a great career, for anyone, at any age, so long as they bring a positive and can-do attitude. We’ll provide all the required training and support in our own training centre. We also have opportunities in catering, cleaning, laundry and administration.

“Key to their roles is recognising what is important TO our clients and their families, as well as what is important FOR our clients. That’s a subtle difference, but extremely important. 

“Our motto is ‘things to do, places to go, people to see’ – and that sums up a key element of delaying or at least mitigating as much as possible the onset of dementia: keeping busy and active. If mind and body are kept active, then the onset may be slowed; at the very least life is focused on what we can do and what we can enjoy and our carers and their personalities are crucial to delivering that experience for each of our clients and their families.

“To support our team we are building our own training and education facility with a technology suite which enables us to train and develop our team, as well as care professionals from around the region and, hopefully, family carers who are interested to learn more,” said Dan.

Ends

Further information;

Iain Macauley

Pressrelations.co.uk

+44(0)161 929 0446

+44(0)7788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk www.ipersonally.co.uk

http://birchabbey.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pressrelations/sets/72157623968229359/

£5 million dementia care home opens in Southport

http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/southport-news/southport-southport-news/2010/07/02/a-5m-dementia-care-home-is-set-to-open-in-southport-101022-26768006/

CHICKENS FIRST IN AS PIONEERING SOUTHPORT DEMENTIA CARE HOME MOVE STARTS.

BIRCH ABBEY

DEMENTIA CARE SERVICE

PRESS RELEASE

June 29, 2010.

CHICKENS FIRST IN AS PIONEERING SOUTHPORT DEMENTIA CARE HOME MOVE STARTS.

Photos and video available.

The big move is on as Phase One of the UK’s most advanced dementia care facility, the iPersonally Memory Centre at Birch Abbey, Southport, is completed – and the first in on Wednesday, June 30, will be a brood of chickens (watch video).

The £5 million Alexandra Road care home – which will provide a service to the whole of Merseyside - features a range of facilities, up to 60 beds, and an approach to dementia care not previously seen in the UK.

The Birch Abbey team will start to move clients from the old building to the new purpose-built facility during the last week in June 2010, and once everybody has been installed the original building will be demolished and replaced by a second new structure, providing more beds, plus offices and admin.

“The first residents will actually be several chickens – they’re an important part of our community, and a clear illustration of the approach we’ll be taking at the new Birch Abbey and which was pioneered and developed at the original Birch Abbey,” said Dan Lingard, chief executive.

“We may have technology and facilities never before seen in a UK dementia care home, but it is the pioneering approach – acknowledged and documented across the care sector - that makes us truly different.

“Getting people with dementia using their minds and muscles – even in seemingly small ways – can have a massively positive effect.

“We’re creating a ‘living sensory garden’ – the chickens draw residents out into the garden, they provide a talking point; what’s more, our patients collect the eggs, make cakes or biscuits and talk about what they’re doing amongst themselves and to their family members providing valuable mental stimulus.

“Our new and expanded Birch Abbey will be a revolution in care services. To us it just felt right that Southport with its long tradition as a caring community should lead this revolution and the birth of a new era in care.”

Ends

Further information;

Iain Macauley

Pressrelations.co.uk

+44(0)161 929 0446

+44(0)7788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk www.ipersonally.co.uk

SOUTHPORT: BIRCH ABBEY LAUNCHES DEMENTIA DAY CARE CLUB

BIRCH ABBEY

DEMENTIA CARE SERVICE

PRESS RELEASE

June 18, 2010.

SOUTHPORT: BIRCH ABBEY LAUNCHES DEMENTIA DAY CARE CLUB.

The iPersonally Care Centre at Birch Abbey, Southport, has launched a day care club for people with dementia.

The £5 million Alexandra Road care home features a range of facilities, up to 60 beds - and an approach to dementia care not previously seen in the UK. But the expanded site and vast range of new facilities means the centre now has capacity for day care clients.

“There is massive demand for day care in and around Southport, and we had a huge waiting list - but we previously had very little capacity for day care clients. However, the new and expanded Birch Abbey has far more space and resource and is geared to offer day care places, with packages ranging from a single hour to full day care,” said Dan Lingard, chief executive.

“This means we can provide planned and scheduled by-the-hour or by-the-day day care for families who have known or regular schedules, or short-notice ad-hoc support for carers or families who find themselves with an urgent or emergency need.

“The day care clients get access to a range of services and facilities – five garden areas, eight recreational rooms, plus essential support services and the highly-experienced Birch Abbey team.

“Rather than simply gearing the new Birch Abbey to provide basic food, hygiene and life care for clients, we have designed in - from scratch - technology, accommodation, entertainment, social interaction and a broad range of care services and features that have never been seen together under one roof in the care industry.

“But, crucially, this is not just about a building – it is about a new, fresh, attitude to dementia care, service and support.”

Ends

Further information;

Iain Macauley

PressRelations.co.uk

+44(0)161 929 0446

+44(0)7788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk www.ipersonally.co.uk

http://birchabbey.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pressrelations/sets/72157623968229359/

£3,500-A-YEAR CARERS CONTINUOUSLY SUBJECT TO SEVEN OF TOP TEN WORKPLACE STRESSES.

EMMA SOAMES
SAGA RESPITE FOR CARERS TRUST
PRESS RELEASE

June 17, 2010.

£3,500-A-YEAR CARERS CONTINUOUSLY SUBJECT TO SEVEN OF TOP TEN WORKPLACE STRESSES.

Watch video

Carers “earn” around 11% of what they could make if they took their skills into the care profession – yet they are subjected almost continually to seven of the top ten workplace stresses in looking after their loved ones.

Emma Soames, of the Saga Respite for Carers Trust, speaking during Carers Week 2010 (watch video), says that government ministers have to prove their own worth by showing they’re in touch with the real challenges faced by carers.

“Carers will never complain, so I’m going to have a swipe on their behalf. There’s a heck of a lot going on, but not much actually happening in Whitehall – and every day of delay is keeping carers on the edge. Carers should protest, but they’re too tired and busy saving the government something like £90 billion a year to be able to get out on the streets and in the faces of politicians – some of whom used care as a ticket into Parliament,” said Emma Soames, 60.

“Carers don’t care a fig for the money, they care about their loved one; income is not viewed in the same way as the majority of people - as some sort of competition prize or as a means to life enhancement no matter how big or small - it is viewed as a utility,” said Emma Soames.

“Taking a mean average of the various calculations on income, carers receive around £3,500 a year to look after an elderly, infirm or distressed loved one.

“Nurses, who do a stunning job, earn around £30,000 – but to my mind, some of the UK’s six million carers, who ‘work’ 24 hour ‘shifts’, are as focussed and capable as some of the highest-paid healthcare professionals who earn £60,000 and more.

“If we take recent research, then carers, for their pitiful financial support, are subject almost continuously to seven of the top ten workplace stresses: workload, feeling undervalued, the type of work they have to do, taking on other people’s work, lack of control over the working day, working long hours and frustration with the working environment.

“To date, the coalition government has failed to implement changes to support carers, choosing instead to further delay the process with yet another review. 

“The disappointment is both the Tories and the Lib-Dem proposals on the run up to the election were promising, with Tories proposing to extend direct payments to help people take control of their care needs, and improved access to respite care.  The Lib-Dems, however, appeared to have the most carer-friendly proposal that would look to offer a week's respite break for the estimated one million carers who spend more than 50 hours a week providing care.

“During the election campaigns, most political parties recognised the huge contribution made by the UK’s army of six million carers, but few really know what it’s like to walk in a carer’s shoes for a day. 

“I’m throwing down the gauntlet to these politicians who rode into Parliament on a care ticket, and challenge them to spend time with carers to get a true appreciation of the mental and physical strain that they face on a daily basis.”

The main carers’ allowance is £53.10 per week, which equates to just £1.52 per hour for a standard 35 hour week, although many of the 6 million carers throughout the UK work well in excess of a 50 hour week.  

Whilst funding is identified as a key concern for carers, one of the biggest issues is the fact that almost a quarter (24 per cent) have never taken a holiday away from their caring responsibilities. This figure rises to 31 percent among those who have been carers for more than 10 years. Despite the previous government’s commitment to provide funding for respite breaks, their failure to ring fence it has meant that in many of the Primary Care Trusts the funds are not reaching carers.

“The Saga Respite for Carers Trust is doing what government should do – provide respite breaks for long-term unpaid carers.  Nominations and stories sent to the Saga Respite for Carers Trust paints a very stark  picture of the lives of carers,  one that shows that many are reaching the end of their tether, their own health affected by the constant stress and demands of looking after a chronically ill or disabled loved one,” said Emma Soames.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mYb-ewWPAM

Ends

Editorial Notes:

Nominations can be made on line at saga.co.uk/health/carers.  The deadline for nominations to the trust is 31^st August 2010.  Terms apply.

Alternatively nomination forms can be obtained by writing to Saga Respite for Carers Trust , The Saga Building, Enbrook Park, Folkestone, Kent CT20 3SE.

There are in the region of 6 million Carers in the UK, split regionally as follows: 

East of England 520,209
East Midlands 435,741
London 609,890
North East 276,593
North West 724,802
Northern Ireland 185,066
Scotland 481,579
South East 737,751
South West 495,442
Wales 340,745
West Midlands 558,421
Yorkshire & The Humber 518,211

Ends

Further information:
Iain Macauley im@pressrelations.co.uk
07788 978800 www.saga.co.uk

Emma Soames, editor-at-large, was editor of Saga Magazine from 2002-2008. Previously she edited the Telegraph Magazine for seven years and before that was editor of ES Magazine, Tatler and the Literary Review. 

NEW ROLES AT BIRCH ABBEY, THE UK ’S “MOST ADVANCED DEMENTIA CARE CENTRE”

iPERSONALLY

DEMENTIA CARE SERVICE

PRESS RELEASE

May 21, 2010.

NEW ROLES AT BIRCH ABBEY, THE UK ’S “MOST ADVANCED DEMENTIA CARE CENTRE”. Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pressrelations/sets/72157623968229359/

Several new roles have been created at what is believed to be the UK’s most advanced new dementia care facility, at Birch Abbey, Southport (www.ipersonally.co.uk). 

Birch Abbey, which will soon open a £5 million extension in Alexandra Road, Southport , is recruiting experienced senior grade carers as well those new to care but with a positive personality and attitude. Chief Executive and founder of iPersonally, Dan Lingard, says their team members will have a unique career opportunity to become specialists in the much needed field of dementia care services.

“At Birch Abbey there’s at least ten features and facilities never combined anywhere else in the dementia care sector – underpinned by a unique approach and attitude – plus the introduction of our unique day care service.

“We need add to our great team, with senior grade professional carers as well as people new to care who can bring their positive personality, empathy and passion to help others.” said Dan Lingard.

“These will be special people – key to their roles is recognising what is important TO our clients and their families, as well as what is important FOR our clients. That’s a subtle difference, but extremely important. 

“Crucial amongst issues important for our clients are the basic facilities such as hygiene, health, diet, comfort and security – but we believe these should be a minimum; what makes us different is our passion to ask ‘what’s important TO our clients?’, things that bring satisfaction, purpose, as well as joy, a smile, laughter or help them relax and feel comfortable, as well as the all-important opportunities to provide physical and mental exercise and stimulation.

“Our motto is ‘things to do, places to go, people to see’ – and that sums up a key element of delaying or at least mitigating as much as possible the onset of dementia: keeping busy and active. If mind and body are kept active, then the onset may be slowed, at the very least life is focused on what we can do and what we can enjoy and our carers and their personalities are crucial to delivering that 'experience' for each of our clients and their families.

“To support our team we have built our own training and education facility with a technology suite which enables us to train and develop our own carer team, as well as care professionals from around the region and hopefully family carers who are interested to learn more,” said Dan.

“Birch Abbey currently has accommodation for 18 clients, but without having to close our doors, we are completely rebuilding so that we will be able to provide residential care for 60 clients in addition to our unique day care service, which for the first time offers the local community day care by the hour, 7 days of the week.

“And rather than simply gearing these services to provide the basics of food, hygiene and personal care, we have listened to our clients, to our families and our team members, to their aspirations, and have  designed a service - from scratch - which includes technology, accommodation, entertainment, social interaction and a broad range of care services and features that have never been seen together from one organisation in one convenient location.

“But, crucially, this is not just about a building – it is about an attitude to dementia care and support - and its going to be an exciting time for our clients, families and especially our team members.”

Ends

Further information;

Iain Macauley

Pressrelations.co.uk

+44(0)161 929 0446

+44(0)7788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk www.ipersonally.co.uk

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