Two Thirds Think Government Failing Carers, Coleman Case Could Revolutionise Plight Of Carers, UK

Main Category: Caregivers / Homecare
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 05 Feb 2008 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Help the Aged responded to news that legal secretary Sharon Coleman has won the initial stages of a landmark legal case at the European Court of Justice. The Legal Secretary, primary carer for her disabled son, was found to have suffered "discrimination by association", having accepted voluntary redundancy from the firm she worked for. (1)

Help the Aged can reveal that over two thirds of people (70 per cent) think the government is failing to provide adequate support to family members who care for older relatives. (2)

Kate Jopling, Head of Public Affairs at Help the Aged, said:

'Sharon Colemans' case has the potential to give new rights to millions of the UK's carers.

'Recent research found that more than 70 per cent of people in the UK think that the government is failing carers - the unsung heroes of our care system.

'Carers play a vital role within the UK's social care system, but few receive the support and recognition they deserve.

'Today's case should act as a wake-up call: recognising and respecting the rights of carers could transform the lives of the millions of people who care for sick, elderly or disabled friends and relatives.

'Help the Aged are part of Right care Right deal, the campaign for a new settlement for social care in England.

'With our partners, Counsel and Care and Carers UK, we are working to revolutionise our ailing care system, turning it into one that is personalised, easy to understand and accessible - with recognition of the essential role played by carers at the very heart.'

Notes:

1. More information can be found here.

2. GfK NOP interviewed 1000 adults by telephone aged 16 plus across the UK across the period of 11-13 January 2008. Weighting was applied to the data to bring it into line with national profiles. The survey was conducted on behalf of 'Right care, Right deal'

'Right care, Right deal' is the new national campaign launched to build public awareness and support for the need for brave and innovative solutions for the social care system. With the Government indicating that social care is an urgent political priority, and in advance of the expected green paper later in 2008, the campaign combines three of the UK's largest charities working with and for older people and their families and carers, and will urge the government to renew its vision for the future of social care in England. Visit http://www.rightcare.org.uk/

3. Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.

4. Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect.

httHelp the Aged.

• Additional
• References
• Citations