Caring for our future

Citation

(2013), "Caring for our future", Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, Vol. 14 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/qaoa.2013.55914aaa.002

Caring for our future

Article Type: News and events From: Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, Volume 14, Issue 1

In July 2012, the UK Government delivered the “Caring for our future” White Paper which aims to reform the care and support system. The draft Care and Support Bill creates a single modern piece of law for adult care and support, replacing complex and outdated legislation. The progress report on funding reform sets out the government’s position on social care funding.

The new system will focus on people’s wellbeing, supporting them to live independently for as long as possible. Care and support will be centred on people’s needs, giving them better care and more control over the care they receive. Better support for carers is envisaged.

For further details visit web site: http://caringforourfuture.dh.gov.uk/

Giving older people with cancer a voice to get better treatment

The Older People’s Advocacy Alliance (OPAAL) announced a new national project Advocacy on the Wards, funded by the Big Lottery Silver Dreams Fund and Macmillan Cancer Support.

This fund offers the opportunity to showcase the life changing support older people can offer their peers who are struggling to cope with the major life changing experience that cancer brings. OPAAL, the national organisation representing and promoting independent advocacy for older people, and Macmillan Cancer Support have been working together to develop an independent advocacy framework to support older cancer patients to get their voice heard on a range of issues affecting them on their cancer journey including greater access to curative treatments.

Older patients and carers will be trained as independent peer advocates to support those affected by cancer to access the treatment they need. OPAAL and Macmillan Cancer Support aim to demonstrate that with independent advocacy support older cancer patients are better able to make informed decisions about their treatment and care.

Over 220,000 people aged 60+ break bones due to a fall

Age UK revealed the scale of the issue of falls, with over 220,000 people aged 60+ fracturing bones as the result of a fall. The figures, announced as part of Age UK’s Falls Awareness Week 2012 (18-22 June), showed that more than 88,000 people fractured a hip, over 43,000 had fractures of the arm and nearly 17,000 fractured their pelvis. These are significant injuries and the impact of a fall and the resulting injuries can be life-changing, leaving many feeling isolated, anxious and reluctant to leave home.

Injuries from falls are one of the leading causes of death for over 75s, but falls are not an inevitable part of getting older – specific programmes for improving strength and balance can reduce the risk of falls by as much as 55 per cent and weight-bearing exercise in particular is important in maintaining healthy bones.

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director General at Age UK, said: “The impact of a fall can be devastating and the scale of the issue is a real concern, especially as we know that prevention is so much better than cure … . We’re encouraging people to introduce simple strength and balance exercises into day-to-day life to help prevent falls. The events also look at the importance of getting out in the sunshine and incorporating calcium and sources of vitamin D in your diet. This all helps to strengthen bones to protect you if you do fall.”

To download Age UK’s free “Staying Steady” and “Healthy Eating” guides visit web site: www.ageuk.org.uk/falls or call Age UK Advice for free on 0800 169 6565.