Latest news with #carers
South China Morning Post
20 hours ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Unmarried people have lower risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, study finds
This is the 64th instalment in a series on dementia , including the research into its causes and treatment, advice for carers, and stories of hope. Advertisement There are many health benefits to being in a happy marriage. It gives each partner a sense of security and belonging. They have someone to share the burdens of life with and, as they say, a problem shared is a problem halved. That tends to alleviate stress, which can, in turn, lower hypertension , boost sleep quality and enhance mental health. Having somebody to do activities with might mean you get out more, do more exercise or enjoy a better social life. Previous studies have found that married men and married women live longer than singletons. Photo: Shutterstock Marriage can also come with economic benefits, so people may experience fewer financial worries. Advertisement
BBC News
a day ago
- Health
- BBC News
'I am a carer for my husband, son and daughter'
A woman has described working 24-hour days in order to care for her husband, son and Buckner, from Three Mile Cross, Berkshire, said she sometimes went without sleep and was too busy to attend health appointments for previously set up a school for her son, who has a personality disorder, and also supports a husband with clinical depression and a daughter who is deaf and has diabetes and tumours on her a survey to mark the start of Carers Week, the charity Carers UK said some carers were reporting declining health because they had no time look after their own needs. Ms Buckner, who gave evidence to parliament about the issue, said: "A day can be 24 hours, literally, because I'm getting no sleep because of things that are going on."For instance, last Friday night, that's the most recent one, [my 18-year-old daughter] had a hypo, she was starting to go in a coma."Then I have a husband who's got clinical depression and a personality disorder. He's been sectioned twice. He can be unpredictable."And then I have a son who's been classed as a danger to society... He has very complex needs." In 2008, Ms Buckner set up a school in Reading where her son, then aged nine, was the only pupil, after he was excluded from other said her caring responsibilities were taking a toll on her own health."I fell over two years ago. I didn't go for an X-ray for three months because I didn't have time," she said."Then I was told I had to go for surgery and I was, like, 'I don't have time'."Now, theoretically I need to have a couple of teeth out. I don't have time."Carers UK said 40% of carers it surveyed said they had postponed or cancelled a medical appointment, while 43% said their health had declined since taking on the charity's chief executive Helen Walker said: "Sadly, caring for someone often comes at a personal cost."It can be a negative cycle for many carers who experience worsening physical or mental health and are unable to take a break to look after themselves." If you are a carer for someone, you can visit the BBC's Support for Carers page for details of organisations that can help. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
03-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Huntington's disease: 'Love keeps me going,' husband carer says
"I sleep very lightly, almost with one ear and one eye open," says Steve Duckett who cares for his wife, Sandy, who has Huntington's disease."I have learned to be a good carer but it is relentless," he Duckett, 72, first developed symptoms about 25 years inherited genetic condition, which her mother died of, leads to the progressive deterioration of behaviour, thinking and movement. There is currently no Duckett retired early -10 years ago - from his job in local government, to become a full-time carer."At that stage it was more to give Sandy companionship, to make sure she remembered to eat and to help her with everyday tasks," he says. 'You never really switch off' Mrs Duckett's condition has since deteriorated and her very complex health needs means she now qualifies for NHS continuing healthcare, which funds daily carers in their home. Mr Duckett describes the carers who look after his wife as "diamonds" and says their expert help has made a "huge difference". "They have given me my life back," he says, but admits he still cares for his wife for about 100 hours a week."I do all the night time care," he explains."I bear the responsibility of looking after her. You never really switch off. I am the one that knows her really well, watches the signs. "I try to make sure she is getting all the help she needs."Mrs Duckett has lost all of her mobility, needs to be hoisted and is mostly fed through a feeding tube because her ability to swallow has become severely compromised. But her attitude to the illness is "inspirational", her husband says."I have never heard her say, 'Why me?', she still maintains that stoic, positive approach to it," says Mr Duckett, adding: "She is remarkable."The couple, who live in Corfe Mullen in Dorset, married in 1973. Mr Duckett says they are "incredibly fortunate" that both of their children tested negative for Huntington's. Children have a 50% chance of inheriting the disease from an affected parent. 'Carers deserve recognition' Mrs Duckett is only able to speak occasional words."She still tells me she loves me and that makes me a bit tearful," Mr Duckett says. "My love for Sandy keeps me going."He reflects on how illness has altered their relationship."That change from husband to carer is subtle," he says."I have lost a lot, that explains why sometimes I feel a little bit sad."He is keen to raise awareness of Huntington's Disease and the role carers play."We have always been that couple who will say, 'Sandy has Huntington's, what do you want to know?'," he Huntington's Disease Association says there is a need for more awareness of the condition, including among some healthcare Duckett supports other carers in Dorset through voluntary work."Caring is a difficult, tough gig, it does become a bit of a burden," he says."You get used to coming second. I say to people, 'you need to look after yourself'."Carers UK says unpaid carers save the UK an estimated £184bn a year. But Mr Duckett says too often carer's stories are unheard."We are really valuable,which is why I think it's important that carers get the recognition and are respected." 'Selfless dedication' A government spokesperson says it recognises "the immense contribution of carers who selflessly dedicate their time to supporting others". "To ensure families get the support they need, we have increased the carer's allowance earnings limit by around an extra £2,000 a year – the biggest rise since it was introduced in 1976," they add."The Better Care Fund, backed by £9bn, includes funding that can be used to provide carers with short breaks and respite services. "Baroness Casey's independent commission into adult social care, which started in April, will explore the needs of unpaid carers who provide vital care and support." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Surrey, Kent and London university research to help psychosis carers
Researchers at universities in Surrey, Kent and London are to collaborate on a major study to help the carers of people with University of Surrey in Guildford, University of Kent in Canterbury and City St George's at the University of London in Tooting will work together to create a unique set of project will begin in September and has been awarded funding of £520,000 by the National Institute for Health and Care NHS defines psychosis as when a person loses touch with reality and begins suffering hallucinations and delusions. What is psychosis?Mum's "heart breaking" experience of postpartum psychosis"I worked on an album from a psychiatric ward"The research teams will also work with local authorities and other Cassie Hazell, a lecturer at the University of Surrey, said: "This project offers an opportunity to create the support that carers of people with psychosis want and need."We are excited to work with local authorities, charities and carers to ensure this work is implemented and makes a real difference."Dr Jacqueline Sin, professor of mental health nursing at City St George's, said: "It really gives us the opportunity to engage with a wide range of carers and involve them in co-producing truly meaningful and useful support resources for themselves."
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Doncaster kinship carers call for equal parental rights
A mother has called for "equality" for carers who take on responsibility for children in the family who are not their current legislation, kinship carers are not entitled to statutory paid employment leave when they take on the care of a child – unlike families who give birth or 41, from Doncaster, became responsible for her seven-month-old great-nephew when social services deemed she was the only family member who could take said the decision led to her giving up her job because she was unable to take any time off to care for him. She told the BBC: "It was a very difficult decision I had to make because I thought I was done with nappies, toddlers, and things like that."I've got two teenage children of my own, so it was a very difficult decision to let him come."I worked in a school, so it wasn't the easiest profession to be in to ask for time off, but I did ask for time off for him to come and settle and I wasn't given any straight answers."I asked to reduce my hours, because there's a lot of ins and outs of being a kinship carer, and I was told no."So I had to make the difficult decision to quit my job to be able to take care of him." Samantha is calling for a change in the law to allow kinship carers to take statutory paid employment leave."You wouldn't expect to give birth to a baby and go to work the next day. So why should we?" she said."We haven't birthed the baby but we made a massive change in our lives to take that child on."We should have equal rights to people who have given birth or adopted."Two-and-a-half years later, Samantha has not been able to go back to work."I've been struggling with my mental health, as a kinship carer, it can be quite isolating."I've got a toddler to look after and my own children as well so I've not been able to get back into a job."It's been a struggle. I would have had a steady income if I had been able to stay in work, but now I have to rely on benefits."We've had to move house because of taking him on, and I can't even do things like put money away for a shed for the garden."Charity Kinship is backing Samantha's call and is urging the government to consider the changes as part of its review of parental leave due to start this to the charity, nearly half of kinship carers (45%) lose jobs and careers when they begin to raise a relative or friend's child to stop them going into care. Natalie, also from Doncaster, was handed her three-month-old nephew in 2020."He was handed like a parcel at my garden gate by social services, on a hot summer's day. and came with nothing except some winter clothing and blankets," she was given a week's notice that a baby was coming into her care."You don't get any time to prepare physically or mentally, for items you might need," she said."As a single person I had nothing for a child. I was working full-time."Unlike Samantha, Natalie's employer was supportive of her decision."Imagine having a three-month-old baby, feeding every two hours, as a single parent," Natalie said."They tell you to sleep when the baby sleeps, but I needed to work."It felt impossible to try to juggle both."I had no idea there was no statutory support."I assumed because of adoption leave and biological parents getting leave that you would fall into that because you're becoming a parent."So it was a complete surprise that we don't get anything."Natalie said she worked 10 years to build her career, but she would still make the decision to care for her nephew "every time"."He's been the best thing that ever happened. The fact I've been able to keep him in the family, and he's been able to build a bond with the rest of his family, is huge."Kinship carers deserve support when it comes to work, they shouldn't be forced to make a decision."You can't expect someone to take on a child and they next day go to work."The Kinship charity's data also showed three in four kinship carers (74%) were in paid work immediately before becoming a kinship 80% have not returned to paid work since becoming carers.A spokesperson said: "Unlike other working parents, kinship carers who look after 141,000 children in England and Wales, more than double the number in foster care, do not qualify for statutory paid employment leave."Although many take in babies and toddler, they are expected back at work the next day, forcing them to either quit their jobs or take unpaid leave."We are calling on the government to introduce a statutory right to paid leave for kinship carers on a par with adoptive parents and are urging the government to address this unfair gap in the law and include kinship care in its review of parental leave in June."A government spokesperson said it was committed to carrying out a review of the parental leave system to "ensure it best supports working families".They said: "Our Plan for Change is on the side of working parents, which is why we are making paternity leave and unpaid parental leave day one rights under the Employment Rights Bill." 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