Tag Archives: elderly

When will they grasp the nettle?

Older peoples, families and local authorities around the country are looking for leadership and certainty in the question of funding adult social care.

Every year the question of funding adult social care becomes more pressing, as pressures on budgets become tighter. The sooner a framework for funding and a timeframe for implementation are agreed, the sooner families and local authorities can plan for the future. Doing nothing is not an option.

Continue reading

My grandmother stole my job!

Well not exactly… but a recent story in the press pointed out an interesting new trend. In 2010, over a third of newly created jobs were being taken by those over 65 and out of work.

These people might be taking up a job at 65+ to cover what their pension won’t stretch to, and to make up for savings which no longer pay decent interest. Or, given the role of grandparents these days, even to pay their grandchildren’s university fees!

The news often focuses on youth unemployment and worries about what young people – the lost generation – are going to do. Society is right to be concerned.  However, unemployment doesn’t just affect the young. When it comes to standing in line at the Jobcentre Plus, it seems that we – whatever age we are – are really in it together.

Continue reading

Oh, the agony of choice…

With personalisation upon us, we’re hearing more about the benefits of the choice it brings. “Choice” is a great word for politicians. “Fair” is another one. “We’re giving you choice” or “a fairer system” may sound great, but because they mean different things to different people, political spin doctors rely on people interpreting them in their own way and then thinking that they’re getting something better. But precisely because these words mean different things to different people, they become meaningless.

Continue reading