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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

More people are afraid of losing their independence in old age and being forced to move into a nursing home than they are of dying, a survey has found.
By Andrew Hough
Published: 7:30AM GMT 08 Feb 2010 Daily Telegraph

As elderly care becomes more expensive, more than two in three Britons fear becoming a burden on friends or family in their old age, it found. While three in four people said they feared getting ill in their old age, just 29 per cent said they feared dying, according to the survey. The research, from the national Disabled Living Foundation charity, also found almost half of people feared moving into an aged care facility.

The government has previously warned the health care system was facing a "time bomb" due to Britain's ageing population. Ministers have previously said Britain's ageing population poses as big a threat to the country as climate change, as the government grapples with how to help the 1.7 million more people expected to need social care over the next two decades. With the recession leaving many retirees and people approaching retirement with substantially less pensions, almost half feared being financially secure as they aged.

The research also found that almost two thirds of people currently help an elderly "family member, neighbour or friend with basic tasks to help them get by". Christine Shaw, the DLF's chief executive, said with an ageing population, the system needed more people living in their homes for longer. "People want to remain in control over their own lives, to be able to do things for themselves and carry out everyday living tasks independently, like dressing, bathing and cooking," she said. "Getting older should not be a barrier to having choice and control over the quality of your life, or be a reason to move out of your own home. "Many older people just need help, ideas and advice about the simple equipment that exists to help them with daily tasks and to lead full, active and safe lives." .....more

Controversy over government's free home care plan

Personal Care at Home Bill could be twice as expensive as planned, warn peers and social care chiefs The government's plan to provide free home care for people with the highest needs in England and Wales remains on track - despite criticism from peers and social care chiefs.

The Personal Care at Home Bill - which will guarantee free personal care for around 280,000 people and provide support for another 130,000 to regain their independence - continued its bumpy ride through parliament yesterday (1 February). The plan for free social care, which will mostly benefit older people, is intended to be the first step towards establishing a new National Care Service. It was put forward by prime minister Gordon Brown and is expected to be a key part of Labour's election campaign. The policy will cost around £670 million a year - with councils expected to provide £250 million through efficiency savings.

Lord Warner, speaking at the second reading of the Bill in the House of Lords, attacked the government's plans as "seriously flawed" and "unaffordable". His criticisms echoed those of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, who last week suggested the overall cost to local authorities would be closer to £500 million instead.....more

Internet boost for dementia care cuts drug use
04 February 2010 By Alexandra Wood

New web-based training packages are being rolled out in dozens of care homes in East and North Yorkshire to help carers better understand the needs of people with dementia. In the East Riding numbers affected by the disease are expected to double to more than 8,000 by 2025.

A £2m research project uses an interactive system which helps carers work with depressed and agitated sufferers without resorting to powerful - and potentially damaging - anti-psychotic drugs.

The system has been developed over more than a year and will be trialled in at least 50 care homes and amongst 500 to 600 carers. Because of the high turnover of staff in homes for the elderly, any lessons that are learned in normal training sessions are often quickly lost. However, the internet-based system is a resource carers can use at any time...more

Genes reveal 'biological ageing'
BBC News: 8 February 2010

Gene variants that might show how fast people's bodies are actually ageing have been pinpointed by scientists.
Researchers from the University of Leicester and Kings College London say the finding could help spot people at higher risk of age-related illnesses. People carrying the variant had differences in the "biological clock" within all their cells. The British Heart Foundation said the findings could offer a clue to ways of preventing heart disease.

While doctors know that as people age they are more at risk from diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and heart disease, some people fall prey to these at an earlier age than expected. One theory suggests that biological timers called "telomeres", part of the chromosomes in every cell that carry genetic code, may be a factor in this....more

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