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It is considered that 1 in 4 of us have either organised or are in the process of organising care for a relative or friend *, but there is still a huge lack of awareness as to the different care and funding options that are available. *TNS Omnibus Research

PDS reveals new research could detect early onset Parkinson's Healthcare News 04/03/2010

Research pioneered by the PDS has discovered an interesting trend with two genes in particular. The Parkinson's Disease Society (PDS) has announced that a new lead for potential treatments for the condition has been discovered by UK researchers in a study funded by the charity. A team at the University of Sheffield carried out a study and for the first time identified how two genes linked to the early onset form of Parkinson's disease - known as parkin and PINK1 - can work together to remove damaged mitochondria from nerve cells in the brain.

It was asserted that people with Parkinson's disease lack the necessary amount of chemical dopamine as these nerve cells in the brain die, and those lost to the neurological disorder often contain damaged mitochondria. Dr Kieran Breen, our director of research and development, said: "This is an important step forward in understanding what happens in the nerve cells which are lost in Parkinson's when there are faulty genes. "From this, we may be able to slow down or even stop Parkinson's from progressing."

Around 10,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year, with 120,000 people in the country having the condition.

The government announced in 2008 that it was doubling money set aside to allow long-term carers some time off - £50m this year and £100m next year. The Crossroads Care and Princess Royal Trust for Carers say only 23% of this year's cash is being spent on carers. NHS Trust representatives say money was moved to best meet local needs.

The two charities say the problem is that the money was never ring-fenced by the government and simply added to existing health budgets. Some trusts have no idea how much money they received towards respite breaks, the charities claim. Gordon Conochie, of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, accused primary care trusts of failing to respond to local needs because of a lack of "transparency and accountability. Primary care trusts aren't telling local people what they're using the money for, they're not actually consulting with carers' organisations or carers locally," he said. "And in our report we found a quarter of them hadn't even spoken to a local authority about actually publishing a joint plan with them."

The charities based their analysis on responses to Freedom of Information requests from 100 primary care trusts.

David Stout, director of the Primary Care Trust Network, said trusts had planned to meet carers' needs but were also faced with "many, many different priorities. So inevitably there's a need to meet needs as best you can in your local area."ESRC: Positive ageing: technology and positive attitudes improving older people's lives

The Economic & Social Research Council - Friday, 05, Mar 2010

The population of the UK is ageing. Sixteen per cent of the UK population is 65 or older, and for the first time, there are more people over the age of 65 than there are under the age of 18. This raises a lot of questions on issues such as pension provision, health care and wellbeing. Ensuring that elderly people have access to medical and social support; the use of new technologies to make it easier for them to live independent lives; and helping the elderly to stay active within society. These are issues discussed during the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) Festival of Social Science (12-21 March)...more

Care service helpline launched 04 March 2010

A new helpline that provides information on care services for the elderly has been launched in Scotland. Care Information Scotland will provide advice on care homes, care at home, supported housing, and care needs assessment for elderly people. The service, which is available online or via a telephone helpline, has been given £1.5 million in Government funding, which will be managed by NHS 24 over three years.

Two calls centres for Care Information Scotland are based in Clydebank and Aberdeen. Public Health Minister Shona Robison said: "Care Information Scotland will make life much easier for anyone seeking information - in what can often be a crisis situation for a family - on care and support for themselves or for older relatives."

Gloria McLoughlin, deputy chief executive of Scottish Care, said the new service would benefit not just those in need of care, but their families as well, as they seek more information on the options available to them. She said: "The new service communicates clearly eligibility for care, access to care, costs and the choices people have allowing them to make informed decisions."

Councillor Ronnie McColl, health and wellbeing spokesman for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, said: "I would not hesitate to recommend the service to my own constituents."

Care and Support Conference Statement Friday 19 February 2010

Key voices in the care and support world came together today and discussed the key issues facing the care and support system, to give their views to national and local politicians. It was a helpful, broad ranging, high level discussion that helped to build consensus towards a White Paper . This report summarises views given by attendees at the conference and was agreed by delegates at the final session as a summary to provide to politicians.....more

For Information on the Government Green Paper......click here

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