Campaigns ‘The care system is crumbling’
By Tony Watts - Editor - 02/07/2009
Charities and campaigners are warning of a meltdown in care provision for older people unless decisive action is taken soon.
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Banning age discrimination: your chance to put your views
The Government Equalities Office (GEO) today (29 June) outlined further proposals for a new legal ban on harmful age discrimination, which will make sure older people do not face unfair or substandard treatment when they are buying goods or using services, such as in shops, hospitals, or when accessing car and holiday insurance.
Another tough year ahead for pensioners facing inflation-busting Council Tax bills
Pensioners face a tough year ahead, following another inflation-busting rise in Council Tax of 4%.
£5.4 billion of means-tested benefits go unclaimed
Up to £5.4 billion worth of means-tested benefits went unclaimed last year - renewing calls for an overhaul of the system.
Dementia research funding must triple, say experts
The UK’s leading dementia charities today (30 June) united with eminent scientists to urge the government to commit to a national dementia research strategy and triple annual investment to £96 million within five years.
Cognitive stimulation therapy - what are your experiences?
Research has identified a new therapy which may help those suffering from mild to moderate dementia; and yet few people have heard of CST and it is rarely available; so why is this?
The European Court’s recent Ruling of the National Default Retirement Age – and what it means
As Mature Times readers were beginning to experience first hand the humiliating, frustrating and incapacitating effects of the National Default Retirement Age, in March, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) handed down its judgement on Age Concern’s challenge to that provision in the Employment Equality [Age] Regulations 2006. But what does it all mean in practice? Joyce Glasser looks at the fine print.
Action - not just words needed to tackle care crisis
Older people, their families and carers are facing a massive care crisis as the care gap widens, according to national charity Counsel and Care. Practical action – not just words – is urgently needed to patch up the gaping holes in the current care system.
Mature Times launches free guide to choosing and paying for care
If our deteriorating health and mobility mean that we are no longer able to live in our own home, and need to move into residential or nursing care, then the cost can be very significant indeed. So who will pay for that?
MT editor Tony Watts has just produced a short, simple-to-follow, free guide providing helpful advice on not only choosing a care home that will meet your needs, but getting the funding in place as well.
"Urgent review needed" as public pensions gap reaches £1.1 trillion
Following today’s report from Policy Exchange which calculates that the total liability of unfunded public sector pension schemes could be £1.1 trillion, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Steve Webb calls for an 'urgent independent review of public sector pensions' .
Care Quality Commission pledges more involvement for patients
Care home residents, hospital patients and people who receive care at home will have more say in improving the quality of care services than ever before, the Care Quality Commission has promised.
Pensioners demand Winter Fuel Allowance remains universal
Britain’s biggest pensioner organisation, the National Pensioners Convention (NPC), has criticised the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee for suggesting that the annual Winter Fuel Allowance should become a means-tested benefit.
Prices for pensioners still soaring
In response to new RPI figures releases today by the Office for National Statistics which show a rise of inflation of 6.8 per cent for single pensioners, 5.2 per cent for pensioner couples but a fall of 1.2 per cent for consumers generally, Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age Concern and Help the Aged says: “The recession is forcing prices down for many consumers, particularly those with mortgage payments, but older people are not seeing these benefits.
“Last year pensioners suffered from historic hikes in their basic costs, with the price of water, food and fuel all ballooning. This year, although the pace has slowed, the cost of living for pensioners is still increasing dramatically faster than for consumers generally.
New NHS focus on Audiology brings down hearing aid waiting lists
A new report claims that a determined effort by Audiology teams across the country has led to 99% of people receiving hearing aids or other appropriate treatment within the government’s 18-week target. Figures for February 2009, just released by the Department of Health, show that the situation has been improving every month since April 2008. The improvements have come about as a result of re-instating frozen posts combined with a determined effort by Audiology teams to work in more flexible and creative ways.
'Age Unlimited' - will the promise of an age-friendly society ever be realised?
"My stomach slightly fluttered with excitement. I was at a launch event where “innovation” and “ageing society” were mouthed in the same sentence." Judith Cork has a glimpse of the future. A future to which YOU can contribute.
