- Staff Notice
Please look after the old folks!
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Introduction.
Originally, this thread was going to be about me sharing my experiences on looking after my Dad who had dementia and Parkinson's. I looked after him for over 12 years until his death last August (in 2016). Although I'm sure I'll talk about my experiences here too, I've created a separate blog about my time looking after my Dad and I intend to share my experience and knowledge of caring with someone with dementia on that blog. Please check it out here:
Horizon's Dementia & Care of the Elderly Blog
The primary purpose of this thread, therefore, is to discus the policy and politics behind the social care system. With people getting older and ever dwindling resources, a major rethink is required on how we look after our elderly people, in my opinion. You may have a different one, please do share it!
One of the prime reasons for creating this forum was firstly to give me something to do to distract myself after my father's death. Anyone who has looked after someone with dementia 24/7 knows how intensive and all consuming it is and how much of a vacuum is left in your life after they've gone. Secondly, as well as keeping my head above water and trying to stay sane, I wanted to share my experiences, as I've already said, of looking after someone with dementia, hence my blog and to discuss the policy of social care for the future, hence this thread.
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Updated News and Info (last updated 11th April 2017)
I will also keep this first post updated with news and info about the politics surrounding the social care system:
11th April 2017
More than 900 adult social care workers a day quit their job in England last year, new figures reveal.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39507859
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8th April 2017
Who gets social care and who pays for it?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-38907054
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24th February 2017
10 charts that show what's gone wrong with social care.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-39043387
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15th December 2016
Councils say it is "hugely disappointing" that the government has not given them extra money to tackle shortfalls in social care funding.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38319342
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What do you think of the social care system? Fit for purpose, or, in a state of collapse?