news headlines, stories and reports

The Great British Care Awards are delighted to announce that Counsel and Care are to be the charity partner for the Carer's Award category for the 2010 regional awards.

The Carer's Award is a new category for the Great British Care Awards, and will be given to an unpaid carer who in the opinion of the judges can demonstrate commitment and perseverance in the care they give.

View press release.

Tunstall Lifecare (TLC) is a cost-effective home safety system that enables you or your loved one to access help 24 hours a day. The TLC system is currently available from Counsel and Care's online store.

A simple unit called a Lifeline plugs into your telephone line, giving you the means to summon help from anywhere in your home or garden (up to 50 metres' coverage).

To celebrate ElderCare Week from 6-12 September 2010, Tunstall is offering the chance to win one of 3 TLC Home Safety System Starter Packs, worth £299.

View press release for more details on the competition and how to enter.

Counsel and Care has today set out its view on the outcome of the serious case review report into the deaths of Mr and Mrs Randall in Northamptonshire earlier this year.

Commenting on the outcome of the review, Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said: "We agree with the report's recommendation that a further review is needed to consider what agencies should do when older people refuse help despite concerns of neighbours, families or the agencies themselves.

Clearly, every case is different, but an older person has the right as any other individual to take risks of their own choosing.... But with increasing numbers of older people living isolated, lonely lives, it would be helpful for a national review to consider what could be done to help older people who refuse care and support. Ongoing support for older people such as befriending may be needed to prevent isolation and loneliness, rather than interventionist strategies that take away a person's human rights and self-determination."

View press release.

Counsel and Care welcomes the opportunity of working in partnership with local authorities to help develop their information and advice strategies and complement existing provision.

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Welcoming the establishment of the care funding commission announced today by the Government, Counsel and Care says the commission must be radical and long-term in its approach, setting its sights beyond the current financial crisis to develop a care funding solution that is 'fair, simple and sustainable'.

View press release.

Counsel and Care has received a major grant from The Freemason's Grand Charity of £35,000. Counsel and Care's dedicated advice and information service already reaches some 250,000 older people and their carers each year through its telephone advice line, its website, and its range of guides and factsheets. The grant is to support the charity's advice and information service, and will help it to reach even more older people in the coming year.

View press release.

Counsel and Care has today (15.07.2010) published a Care Home Handbook, available free for older people, their families and carers. Supported by the Department of Health, this 56-page handbook provides vital information for anyone who may be considering care in a care home.

View press release.

View handbook.

With very warm weather expected across southeast England during both day and night-time, Counsel and Care, the national charity working with older people, their families and carers to get the best care and support, publishes advice for staying cool and alert to the needs of more vulnerable older people in the hot weather.

Counsel and Care's guide 26: 'Health difficulties caused by hot and cold weather' gives a helpful reminder of the simple things everyone can do to help keep cool and reduce dehydration in very hot weather. Older people with health conditions can be especially vulnerable to suffering adverse effects on their health during hot weather, and can experience heatstroke, heat exhaustion and dehydration.

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Counsel and Care will be one of the charities raising funds at the British 10k London run which takes place on Sunday 11 July 2010.

19 runners, made up of staff, trustees and friends of Counsel and Care will be running to help the charity raise funds to support the 250,000 older people, families and carers currently reached through its advice and information, and through its campaigning and influencing work. Last year we raised over £17,000 and we aim to raise even more this year.

The run starts in Hyde Park and takes in London's well known landmarks such as the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey.

To sponsor a runner or to run for Counsel and Care please contact Helen Dunkerley on 020 7241 8555 or see our website www.counselandcare.org.uk

Donations can also be made via Just Giving on: www.justgiving.com/counselandcare/raisemoney

View press release.

Counsel and Care today (22.06.2010) gives a guarded response to the Emergency Budget and the early report of the findings of the Law Commission's review into adult social care.

Counsel and Care welcomes the government's pledge to preserve benefits such as Disability Living Allowance for those most in need and to re-link the Basic State Pension with earnings.

However, Counsel and Care remains concerned that a plan to introduce a medical assessment for Disability Living Allowance from 2013 to focus on those most in need will actually result in many more eligible people being prevented from accessing the benefit.

With local councils consulting on possible cuts to vital areas of care and support such as care homes and day centres, Counsel and Care argues that smarter spending is needed urgently to make the best use of existing resources and ensure that the needs of older people are top priority.

Caroline Bernard, Deputy Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said: "As expected, this Emergency Budget sets the scene for the inevitable cuts that will follow in the public sector, which will affect older people using those services.

"We will follow the 2010 Comprehensive Review with close interest, and look forward to participating in the forthcoming engagement programme to keep the reform of social care funding at the top of the coalition government's agenda."

View press release.

Counsel and Care will hold its annual ElderCare Week from 6-12 September 2010 under the theme: "Everyone needs to know about ElderCare options".

Counsel and Care will call for advice and information on social care to be made more accessible for older people, their families and carers and promote their range of fully updated guides and factsheets.

Counsel and Care is calling on local authorities and care industry partners to get involved with the week by planning activities and taking action to support the campaign.

ElderCare Week will include the charity's annual debate and Graham Lecture which this year focuses on advice and information system. The day will be chaired by John Stapleton, and the lecture will be delivered by Claire Rayner OBE.

View press release.

As part of Carers Week 2010 (14-20 June 2010), Counsel and Care has today (Wednesday 16th June, 2010) launched a completely updated set of 62 Guides and Factsheets that can support older people, their families and carers to understand their rights and entitlements and navigate their way through a confusing and ever-changing care system.

Elizabeth Lodge, Advice Services Manager, Counsel and Care said:
"Counsel and Care provides expert and high-quality advice and information on care and support. The information and advice in Counsel and Care's range of popular Guides and Factsheets have been fully updated to reflect the many changes in legislation and policy affecting older people over the last year, including the developments in personalisation, the use of Mental Capacity Act and changes in how care homes and home care agencies are inspected by the Care Quality Commission.

"Counsel and Care's 62 comprehensive Guides and Factsheets cover a huge range of issues which affect older people – for example, accessing care and support in your own home, going into and returning home from hospital, adapting and maintaining a property, finding and paying for a care home place, and the benefits, allowances and grants available.

View press release.

Central and local government are today challenged to use social care funding more smartly to deliver better care for Britain's ageing population. Counsel and Care believes smarter spending could release up to £3 billion that could be redirected to provide better care and support for the growing number of older people and their carers.

With the government preparing its emergency budget on 22 June and setting the parameters for the spending review for 2011-15, Counsel and Care argues that smarter spending is needed urgently to make the best use of existing resources and ensure that the needs of older people are top priority.

In a new paper, 'Smarter spending for better care', Counsel and Care sets out ten ways in which current resources could be spent differently. These include:

• Improved access to advice and information, particularly specialist financial advice
• Support for families and carers
• Helping older people stay in their own home for longer
• Closer working between housing, health and care
• Greater use of new technology such as telecare
• Prevention through schemes like homechecks
• Volunteering and intergenerational schemes
• Access to drugs and treatments to reduce the impact of dementia.

View press release.

View Smarter spending for better care report.

Older people and their families and carers can now purchase telecare equipment for their home from Counsel and Care's online store.

TLC (Tunstall LifeCare) is a cost effective, home safety system that enables an older person to access help 24 hrs a day which provides invaluable peace of mind and independence. It offers:
•Speed of response - trained advisors listen to you and respond to your call, taking appropriate action to get you the help you need straight away
•Personal service - friendly and dignified response at all times
•24/7 reassurance – advisors are on hand to help 24 hrs a day, 365 days of the year
•Easy to install - simply plugs into telephone line and mains electricity plug socket

For every sale of the TLC system via Counsel and Care's online store, Tunstall will donate £30 to the national charity.

View press release.

Check out the full range of products available by logging on direct to the store at: www.counselandcarestore.co.uk.

The report, 'Campaigning for Quality Care in Care Homes', calls on the new commission on long-term care to consider how to radically improve the quality of care as well as how the care system will be funded in the future.

Pamela Wells, the author of the report and a former carer, said that during her research for the report she interviewed carers, former carers, visitors to care homes, care workers and day centre staff. She was shocked to find her own experience being reaffirmed through the witness of others' experience and learned that there was an appalling lack of care of older and vulnerable older in far too many care homes.

The report calls for:
- the new commission to develop a new care system that is based on quality care for older people, both in independent as well as council-funded care homes

-the promotion of 'kindness' in care which can make all the difference

-greater public awareness of the scale of abuse of older people in care homes

-more 'caring' care homes to be encouraged to enter the workforce incentivised by better pay, training and ongoing support

-more frequent spot checks of care homes by the regulator and stronger accountability when things go wrong.

View Campaigning for Quality Care in Care Homes report.

View press release in full.

Barnet Council has partnered with Counsel and Care as part of their Innovation Fund to help it deliver on universal advice and information for older people and their carers in their local area.

The advice service will be available to all residents in the London Borough of Barnet aged 60 and over and their carers, and is equally relevant whether people are paying for their own care, are supported by Barnet Council, or simply have questions on possible future care and support needs. This is a significant step to fulfilling the Government's Putting People First transformation programme at the local level and fundamental to the delivery of personalised services.

Councillor Sachin Rajput, Barnet Council's Cabinet Member for Adults, said: "We see residents taking control of their own care as a key part of the council's Future Shape proposals. So too is working with a range of local groups to deliver the type of care that residents want.

"The information and advice services to be offered by Counsel and Care will be a very important part of the network of support available across Barnet to enable older residents and their carers to plan their lives and achieve increased levels of independence."

Counsel and Care welcomes today's assertion by the coalition government's new care minister that the reform of social care is at the top of their agenda. The establishment of an independent commission to debate the issue of how the social care system should be funded offers a unique opportunity to co-ordinate sweeping reform of the care system and to propose ambitious changes that can last through future parliaments.

Much debate has already taken place. While all funding options should be considered in turn, Counsel and Care calls on the new commission to reach consensus on an effective funding model without delay and then focus on establishing a clear timescale for system-wide reform.

View press release.

Counsel and Care calls on the new coalition government to take forward the reform of the care and support system as a matter of urgency. There is universal agreement that the care system as it stands is unfair, underfunded and unsustainable.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive, Counsel and Care said: "We are keen to see the new government providing a clear direction towards better care for older people and their carers. The coalition government offers a unique opportunity to co-ordinate sweeping reform of the care system and implement system-wide changes that can last through future parliaments."

View full press release.

Elizabeth Lodge joined Counsel and Care as Advice Service Manager in April 2010. She has worked in the voluntary sector for fifteen years, including seven years running a national advice line for older people at Help the Aged. Prior to that, Elizabeth managed local authority home care services for eight years, so has both experience and understanding of the issues facing older people in terms of their care and support needs. Most recently, she was working for Macmillan Cancer Support, with responsibility for cancer information and support services and for working in partnership with the NHS.

View press release.

Barchester Healthcare and Counsel and Care today launch a competition looking for positive examples of media coverage relating to older people and their care and support.

The Older People in the Media Awards 2010 will recognise individuals and/or organisations for positively portraying older people, their carers, and the contributions that older people make.

Entrants will be able to nominate in seven categories with an overall winner then chosen for an eighth award.

View press release.

The ambition set out in today's white paper to create a comprehensive national care service, free at the point of delivery to all who need it, is applauded by Counsel and Care. The charity welcomes this historic commitment and the steps towards delivering it, including free personal care at home or access to reablement for those with the highest needs, and free care for those living in residential care for longer than two years. Clarity is needed about the funding of these first steps.

View press release.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer's reference in today's Budget to an inheritance tax solution to help pay for better care for older people has been welcomed by Counsel and Care. The charity calls for a properly funded national care service to deliver better care for our ageing population.

View press release.

Speaking today at an event in Birmingham just days before a white paper on the funding of care is due to be published, Counsel and Care's chief executive, Stephen Burke, said: "The current care system is unfair and underfunded. Some one million older people can't get the care and support they need. Many are forced to rely on family carers, pay for care themselves or struggle on their own without any help. The care gap is growing rapidly as local authorities cut budgets for older people's services. Urgent action is needed to close this care gap facing our ageing society.


View press release

Hampshire County Council has partnered with Counsel and Care to provide a new specialist advice phone line for older people in the New Forest area.

Local residents can contact Counsel and Care for advice on care and support issues affecting older people by calling the Advice Line on 0845 300 7585 or by downloading the range of guides.

The advice service will be available to all residents in the New Forest who are aged 60 and over and their carers. The advice line is equally relevant whether people are paying for their own care, are supported by Hampshire County Council, or simply have questions about possible future care and support needs.

View press release.

Counsel and Care estimates that only £70million of public funding, together with levering in an extra £50 million from non-statutory sources, could enable 480,000 older people to access the benefits of befriending, supported by 240,000 volunteers.

Extrapolating the costs of running the award-winning Neighbourhood Care Scheme in Brighton and Hove suggests that £120 million across the country would benefit both older people and volunteer befrienders as well as saving on huge health and social care costs.

One in ten older people report feeling lonely all the time and with 3.5 million older people living alone, loneliness is likely to grow. Befriending can provide valued social contact, signposting to other services and real early intervention to prevent crises. Counsel and Care's VitalLinks project is establishing a national network of local befriending schemes.

View press release.

Counsel and Care has welcomed the new report from the King's Fund on the future funding of social care by highlighting that any solution for funding better care for older people must pass three tests. It must be 'fair, simple and sustainable'.

View press release.

Counsel and Care welcomes the Health Select Committee's report into social care, but calls for interim measures suggested in the report to be taken up and implemented as soon as possible. The report calls for four key changes:

• a universal deferred payments scheme
• an increase in the capital thresholds for the means test
• an increase in the personal expenses allowance
• a cap to limit liability to pay for care.

View press release

Any solution for funding better care for older people must pass three tests, says national charity, Counsel and Care. It must be 'fair, simple and sustainable'.

With a White Paper on the funding of a national care service expected shortly, Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said: "There are no easy choices - we will all have to pay more for care in the future. Any future funding solution must pass at least three tests: it must be fair, simple and sustainable. Fair so it relates to people's ability to pay and wealth. Simple so that it is clear what you pay and what you get. And sustainable so it will continue to pay for better care as our population ages."

View press release.

The long delays faced by many older people in the capital needing vital home care support are exposed by a new report from the London Assembly's Health and Public Services Committee.

Stephen Burke, chief executive of Counsel and Care, expressed concern about the report's findings: "This report highlights some significant home truths. Older people in the capital should not have to experience such long delays in getting an initial assessment and then accessing home care support. It is completely inappropriate that some older people have had to face delays of at least six weeks before they got support with some of their most basic personal care needs."

View press release in full.

Counsel and Care welcomes the findings of a new report from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services that exposes the lack of support available to carers when the people they care for leave hospital.

View press release.

Local authorities can get 'more for less' from tightening budgets and serve older people better, according to the national charity Counsel and Care. Involving older people, investing in prevention, improving housing, working with health and reducing loneliness will all bring big dividends.

Responding to the Audit Commission's Under Pressure report (published today, 18 February 2010) on tackling the financial pressures for councils of an ageing population, Stephen Burke, chief executive of Counsel and Care, said:

"The Audit Commission's report highlights good practice by councils in responding to their ageing communities. But the variation between local authorities is unacceptable. Why should some care services cost three times more in some areas? And why can't all older people get practical support in and about their home?

View press release

Improvements in how older and disabled people, their families and carers access good quality information, advice and advocacy can, in turn, ensure better standards of health and social care, according to Counsel and Care. The national charity was responding to the Care Quality Commission's first annual report to parliament on the state of health care and adult social care in England published today (Wednesday 10 February 2010)

View press release.

Responding to statements on care funding this week, Stephen Burke, chief executive of Counsel and Care, commented: "Care and support for older people in this country is substantially underfunded, as calls to Counsel and Care's advice service demonstrate day in, day out. With our ageing population, the care funding gap will continue to grow without radical reform and proper funding. Paying for better care will cost us all more – we need an honest and serious debate that recognises this reality. ..."

View press release

The charities Age Concern/Help the Aged, Carers UK, Parkinson's Disease Society and Counsel and Care have come together to call for politicians to throw their support behind the Personal Care at Home Bill which is due to have its Second Reading in the House of Lords on Monday 1 February 2010.

In a joint statement, the charities said:
"Care charges for those with critical needs are often a crippling cost to families already struggling with the financial impacts of illness or disability. This Bill would mark an historic end to means-testing and charging for some of the most vulnerable people in our society to provide for their most basic care needs. The older and disabled people, families and carers we represent have long called for an end to charging for care services – and they would not forget if this opportunity was missed to end unfair charges for those most in need. People want to know what care they will get and how much they will be asked to pay."

View press release.

The Bill introducing free personal care at home for people with critical needs must be the start of radical reform of the care system, backed up by proper funding, Counsel and Care's annual conference will hear today (27.01.10).

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, will tell the conference:
"Clearly better care at home is what most older people want and if it's 'free', then even better. But we need to enusre that proper support is available in local communities so that staying at home doesn't mean loneliness, isolation and neglect. it has to mean more than four 15-minutes visits a day, rushing older people in and out of bed with no support to eat proper meals, chat and enjoy life. And it must recognise that a care home will still be the option of choice for many older people and their families."

View press release.

Worries about older people who are losing or lacking the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves has become the emerging issue for Counsel and Care's advice service in 2009, according to the Care Concerns 2009 report published today.

Last year, ten per cent of all calls to Counsel and Care's advice service were from families and carers concerned about whether older relatives or friends starting to lose mental capacity are receiving the most appropriate and high quality care in the setting of their choice. Enquirers were very worried about the support available to older people who are finding it difficult to manage their finances or struggling to make decisions about their care and support themselves.

View press release.

View Care Concerns 2009 report.

Counsel and Care is not surprised to hear of the National Audit Office's findings (published today, 14 January 2010) showing delays in the first year of the National Dementia Strategy. However, the charity says no further time must be wasted in implementing such a vital strategy with the potential to totally transform the experiences of older people, their families and carers.

Together with the shocking results of a significant Department of Health review into excessive and unnecessary use of anti-psychotic medication to 150,000 older people, this report highlights the level of urgent action required by Government in terms of increased funding for dementia care training and easier access to good quality information and advice for older people with dementia and their carers.

View press release.

The tragic deaths of Jean and Derek Randall reported by the Daily Mail today highlight growing concerns about care for older people.

Counsel and Care warns that the combined impact of the very cold winter and public spending cuts could particularly affect older people living in their own homes. It calls for extra vigilance by public agencies, voluntary organisations, families, friends and neighbours to look out for isolated older people needing support.

View press release.

With heavy snow and cold weather warnings across the country, it is vital that we all keep an eye out for vulnerable older neighbours, family members and friends who may be at greatest risk as a result of the freezing conditions and plunging temperatures.

Counsel and Care is concerned about the impact of these freezing conditions on frail older people who are living alone or are on fixed incomes. Despite efforts to the contrary, the number of excess deaths during the winter months in England and Wales has increased by a shocking 49% on the previous year . Every year, people over 75 experience the greatest increase in deaths directly associated with the winter months.

Counsel and Care recognises the importance of promoting its advice guide on how to stay warm and safe, and alert to the needs of more vulnerable older people during this time.

Counsel and Care's guide 26: 'Health difficulties caused by hot and cold weather'

Since 2002, the percentage of older and disabled people paying for residential care without any financial support from their local council has risen by a third. The number of people who are having to pay for all their care in a care home themselves has increased to 41% of all residents (155,000 in total) in 2009, according to figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats.

These figures come as no surprise to Counsel and Care. Worries about how to pay for a care home stay remains the biggest concern for older people who contact Counsel and Care's advice service, making up over 30% of all calls. Enquirers continually express concern about having to use large amounts of their savings and capital to pay for care, and about how the cost of care home placements is getting more and more expensive.

View press release.

Counsel and Care's annual conference in January 2010 will focus on how high-quality and personalised care can be delivered to make a real difference now for older people, their families and carers while the plans for the future funding of care are negotiated.

'Delivering quality care: fair to everyone, affordable to all' will take place on Wednesday 27th January 2010 in central London.

Counsel and Care's annual conference is kindly supported by the Department of Work and Pensions, ADASS, IDeA and the Department of Health.

View press release.

Today, Disability Alliance, with 15 national partners including Counsel and Care, is launching 'Tackling Disability Poverty' – a manifesto of recommended routes out of poverty for disabled people and their families.

Timed to coincide with the PBR and to highlight the need for consistent action, rather than reductions in support to disabled and older people, the manifesto highlights that:

• Disabled people are twice as likely to live in poverty as other citizens
• Roughly a third of all disabled people live in poverty – especially disabled people not accessing disability benefits:
• 29% of disabled children live in poverty
• A third of working-age disabled adults live in poverty
• 29% of disabled pensioners live in poverty in households not accessing disability benefits

Disability Alliance and and its partners believe this is avoidable and unacceptable and call for action from the main political parties in the lead up to the General Election.

View press release.

While the general standard of care is getting better, according to the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) first report into the standards of adult social care services in England published today (3 December 2009), Counsel and Care still has major concerns about the quality of care provided to vulnerable older people living in a care home.

Almost a quarter of care homes for older people (24%) continue to provide care that is of a poor or adequate standard rated as one or no stars, and almost one-fifth of care services overall still remain poor or adequate, according to the CQC's report. Areas highlighted as needing urgent attention include record-keeping, medication, service user care plans and staff supervision.

And, improvement in the provision of social contact and activities in a care home has increased by only 8% since 2003, showing that there is a long way to go before the care provided in care homes across England can truly be judged as person-centred.

View press release.

Counsel and Care's online mobility aids store has a wide range of goods and equipment to help older and disabled people get the most out of life and remain living independently. The shop provides equipment to provide assistance with walking, sleeping, eating, bathing, and more.

Check out the full range of products available.

For more information on mobility equipment and housing adaptations, see Counsel and Care's guide 28: Housing: adapting your home to stay independent.

After the shocking announcement that the number of excess deaths during the winter months in England and Wales has increased by 49% on the previous year, the national charity, Counsel and Care, recognises the importance of launching its updated advice and information on how to stay warm and safe, and alert to the needs of more vulnerable older people during the winter months.

Despite the relatively mild start to the winter, the risks remain for frail older people living alone or on fixed incomes from low temperatures or unexpected changes in the weather. It is vital that older people are able to prepare properly for a cold snap. Every year, people over 75 experience the greatest increase in deaths directly associated with the winter months. Much more should be done to prevent this happening.

View press release.

View guide.

The Prime Minister's unprecedented pledge made today for better care for all older people has been welcomed by Counsel and Care. But it warns that it will only become reality if backed by a radical vision for a national care service and sufficient funding to meet current and future needs.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said: "We welcome the Prime Minister's commitment today that 'everyone has dignity and security in their old age'. The Prime Minister has rightly recognised that the care system is 'not fit for purpose' and that the status quo must be challenged.

"The forthcoming White Paper on the future of care must set out a radical vision of better care for all and how it will be properly funded. People want to know what care and support they and their family will be entitled to and how much they will have to pay.

On the last day of the Big Care Debate, Donald Hirsch, independent consultant and writer on social policy, reflects on the key criteria for successful reform of the care and support system and considers whether we could be on the brink of a sustainable settlement.

View press release.

View Donald Hirsch's paper.

Counsel and Care is appalled to hear of the results of a significant Department of Health review that revealed how 1,800 of the most vulnerable older people in our society die needlessly each year due to excessive use of anti-psychotic medication and how 150,000 older people continue to receive it unnecessarily.

The findings indicate how embedded such abusive practices have become within the care and support system and show the level of urgent action that is required by Government in terms of increased funding for dementia care training and education for health and social care professionals in order to root them out.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive, Counsel and Care said: 'It also shows how far we still have to travel before full transformation of the social care system is achieved, and a place is reached where we can confidently state that when an older person with dementia is being supported to manage their complex care needs, their best interests and wishes, and those of their families and carers, will always remain the central focus.'

The future of a 'National Care Service', with the potential to rival the impact of the National Health Service, today (13 November 2009) hangs in the balance, according to Counsel and Care.

In its response to the Government's consultation on the funding of care which ends today, Counsel and Care warns that the green paper's bold proposals promising to end the postcode lottery in care and make paying for care fairer for everybody are at risk.A lack of open discussion about the tangible financial implications of a radical long-term universal offer has raised more questions than answers during the Big Care Debate. These questions must be addressed in the White Paper promised by Government in early 2010.

View press release.

View Counsel and Care's response to the green paper, 'Shaping the Future of Care Together'

FirstStop sees a dramatic increase in callers seeking refunds of care costs or being denied NHS Continuing Care funding.

View press release.

The research report, The real cost of quality care and support, is published by the National Care Forum and Counsel and Care as a response to the green paper on the future funding of care. The two organisations say that more resources are needed to fund better quality care.

The report found that care services with high star ratings spend up to 20% more on staff and their training, development and management, as well as putting service users at the centre of everything they do. Not-for-profit providers consistently get better quality ratings.

View press release.

View report: The real cost of quality care and support.

The Care and Support Alliance, made up of charities working with older people, carers and disabled people, is up in arms after the Government has reneged on a promise to publish the financial modelling behind the care funding Green Paper. With just ten days to the closure (13 November 2009) of the consultation on the green paper's funding options, stakeholders have been told that the financial modelling will now not be published until 2010.

View press release.

Counsel and Care has today (2.11.09) published a new Care Home Handbook as part of National Care Homes Week (2-6 November 2009). Fully updated with the support of the Department of Health, this 56-page handbook includes a foreword by Phil Hope, Minister of State for Care Services.

View press release.

View handbook.

Counsel and Care and Ceretas, the homecare professionals representative,have today called for homecare to be transformed in line with government policy that suggests that more older people should receive care at home. Fair charging and more time for care workers to carry out their duties are amongst the recommendations for a new vision for homecare.

The two organisations have today published a policy paper The Future of Homecare: responding to older people's needs - which was developed in consultation with leading homecare experts.The paper argues that policy and practice are still out of alignment - the rhetoric about keeping older people at home for as long as possible does not match with tightening eligibility criteria and rising charges that mean more and more older people are unable to access the care that they need.

View press release.

The Government's response to the report of the Work and Pensions Committee into pensioner poverty published today (19 October 2009) has received a muted welcome from Counsel and Care.

Counsel and Care looks forward with interest to the results of the 20 Pension Credit take-up campaigns across the country to see what more can be done to ensure that the neediest older people in our society can access vital financial help during the recession.

However, Counsel and Care challenges the Government's refusal to increase the Personal Expenses Allowance for older people in care homes to £40 per week from its current rate of £21.90 per week.

View press release.

Every political party's election manifesto should include an outline of long term entitlements to highlight a commitment to treating older people fairly, according to a report by housing and care provider Housing 21, Fair ageing: the challenge of our lifetime. The demands come on the deadline (12.10.09) for responses to the Government's Ageing Strategy: Building a society for all ages.

The report brings together key messages and themes to emerge from a series of events organised by the Fabian Society for Housing 21 in partnership with Counsel and Care - the Fairness in an Ageing Society programme. It underlines that Britain has 'barely begun to adapt' to a new demographic structure which will require fundamental changes in how society functions.

View press release.
View Fair Ageing report.

National charity Counsel and Care welcomes the Conservative Party's contribution to the care funding debate on the first day of their conference (5 October 2009), 'making care the big election issue'. The charity calls for political consensus on radical reform to care financing to help older people and their families get the care they need wherever they live.

Counsel and Care chief executive, Stephen Burke, said: "With our ageing population and increasing demands for better care, the next government can't duck the question of how we pay for care. It will cost more and it is crucial that funding care is a big election issue.

"We therefore welcome the Conservative Party joining the debate, following the government's green paper on paying for care. Now we need political consensus to ensure a long-lasting settlement to meet the needs of this and future generations."

View press release

Counsel and Care today (3.10.09) welcomes the Conservative Party to the debate on how care for older people is funded, 'making care the big election issue' it deserves to be.The charity calls for political consensus on radical reform to care financing to help older people and their families get the care they need wherever they live.

Counsel and Care chief executive, Stephen Burke, said: "With our ageing population and increasing demands for better care, the next government can't duck the question of how we pay for care. It will cost more and it is crucial that funding care is a big election issue.

"We therefore welcome the Conservative Party joining the debate, following the government's green paper on paying for care.Now we need political consensus to ensure a long-lasting settlement to meet the needs of this and future generations."

View press release.

Counsel and Care welcomes the Prime Minister's announcement (29 September 2009) that older people assessed as having critical needs will get free homecare from October 2010 in England.

The Prime Minister's commitment to developing a national care service and ending the postcode lottery in care for older people builds on the recent care funding green paper. The national care service now needs to be made a reality for all older people needing care and support, wherever they live, as soon as possible, says the national charity.

View press release

Mark Chapman, Managing Director of StaffPlan, the leading supplier of products to the homecare industry, is cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise funds for Counsel and Care between 26 September and 4 October 2009. This epic challenge will help the charity reach more older people, their families and carers. Mark will be taking the tough uphill route, starting from Land's End, and has set himself a target to finish the ride in nine days.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said: "We are delighted that Mark Chapman is getting on his bike and going to great lengths for Counsel and Care. All the funds raised by Mark will go towards Counsel and Care's unique advice service for older people, their families and carers to help them get the best care and support. Together we can make care work better for older people from John O'Groats to Land's End."

Check out Mark's progresson his journey by reading his updates.

View press release.

This autumn, Counsel and Care will be reminding politicians of the messages from VotingAge, an older people's manifesto, published in May this year. The manifesto includes forewords from the leaders of all three main political parties.

VotingAge was a consultation run by Counsel and Care - together with a leadership group made up mostly of older people - to identify the issues that affect older people's lives, and seek pledges from all three parties that the particular needs of older people will be in their general election manifestos.

Older people who attended the events and who responded to the VotingAge consultation paper expressed their concerns around key issues such as poverty, age discrimination, a breakdown between the generations, and the lack of involvement and inclusion of older people.

View press release

View manifesto

Today (10.09.09), former Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Heseltine speaks at Counsel and Care's Annual Graham Lecture on the subject of Older People and the Media.

Lord Heseltine said that, "While older people are not alone in sometimes finding themselves uncharitably portrayed by the media, it is important for them to be represented in a fair and balanced way.

"This proves especially important during a period when the economy is brittle, and when society needs to rediscover more traditional values that unite society rather than more self-centred views that divide it."

View press release

View a copy of Lord Heseltine's speech.

Counsel and Care has welcomed today's report by the Public Accounts Committee on the challenges faced by unpaid carers when trying to access benefits, or combine their caring role with part-time work. Of particular concern to the charity is the lack of commitment in last year's carers strategy to addressing the 'overlapping benefit rule' experienced by older carers in receipt of State Pension.

View press release.

Today marks the start of the third annual ElderCare Week, organised by Counsel and Care.

This national awareness week aims to highlight the complex range of care and support issues facing older people and how they and their families and carers can get the best advice and plan ahead for the future.

It will include a number of special activities, such as Counsel and Care's Annual Graham Lecture, which this year will be delivered by the Rt Hon the Lord Heseltine, and a morning debate on older people in the media, including the announcement of the winners of our Older People in the Media competition.

View press release.

Today (7.09.09) marks the start of the third annual ElderCare Week, organised by Counsel and Care. Counsel and Care is promoting its high quality advice and information service for older people, their families and carers during the week, including the benefits offered to residents of Westminster, since the launch of Counsel and Care's partnership with Westminster City Council and Westminster PCT at the beginning of the year.

View press release.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said: "Counsel and Care and many others have long called upon the government to deal with pensioner poverty, so we fully support the report of the Work and Pensions Committee.

"By working with the third sector to continue to provide high quality, independent and user-friendly advice, information and advocacy, the government can begin to confront pensioner poverty. Together we must ensure that current and future cohorts of older people are not destined to a life after retirement spent worrying about whether they can afford to eat or pay their household bills.

View press release.

Befriending scheme coordinators and practitioners are invited to join VitalLinks, the new national network of befriending schemes for older people.

Schemes can join for free using the online form at www.counselandcare.org.uk/networks/vitallinks

VitalLinks aims to publish a publicly accessible online directory of schemes in England and Wales later this year.

View press release

More details about VitalLinks

Counsel and Care welcomes the emphasis of the Government's recent Green Paper, 'Shaping the Future of Social Care', on providing easily accessible and high quality information to help all older people and their families and carers to find their way through the care and support system.

Counsel and Care has recently partnered with Westminster Council and Hampshire County Council to help them to deliver universal advice and information to older people and their carers as part of the 'Putting People First' transformation of social care.

View press release.

View details of our advice partnership work.

Hampshire County Council has partnered with Counsel and Care to help it deliver on universal advice and information for older people and their carers in Aldershot and Farnborough. The advice service will be available to all residents in Aldershot and Farnborough aged 60 and over and their carers, and is equally relevant whether people are paying for their own care, are supported by Hampshire County Council, or simply have questions on possible future care and support needs.

View press release.

Bold new proposals to end the postcode lottery in care and make paying for care fairer for everybody have been welcomed today by Counsel and Care. Creating a national care service is key to the country's future, said the charity.

View press release.

Counsel and Care today welcomes Building a Society for All Ages, the new strategy on ageing as a time of opportunity to overcome the challenges faced by older people. The charity says the proposals, if fully implemented, offer a real chance to develop a society with a lifelong approach at its heart and create age-friendly communities with benefits for everyone, whatever their age.

View press release.

With the Met Office's first heat health warning of the summer and temperatures this week predicted to hit the thirties, Counsel and Care publishes advice for staying cool and alert to the needs of more vulnerable older people in the hot weather.

Counsel and Care's guide 26: 'Health difficulties caused by hot and cold weather' gives a helpful reminder of the simple things everyone can do to help keep cool and reduce dehydration in very hot weather. Older people with health conditions can be especially vulnerable to suffering adverse effects on their health during hot weather, and can experience heatstroke, heat exhaustion and dehydration.

View press release.

Download guide 26

Counsel and Care is delighted to announce that its 2009 Graham Lecture will be given by the Rt Hon the Lord Heseltine on Thursday 10 September 2009, in central London. We are also holding a debate on the portrayal of older people in the media and presenting awards for media coverage of ageing and older people on the same day. The events form part of the third Eldercare Week from 7-13 September 2009.

View the press release.

Older people, their families and carers are facing a massive care crisis as the care gap widens, according to Counsel and Care. Practical action – not just words – is urgently needed to patch up the gaping holes in the current care system.

While the forthcoming green paper must spark wide public debate about what we want the future of care funding to look like, talk about the future must not delay the urgent changes we need to see now.

View press release.

Counsel and Care will be raising funds at the British 10k London run which takes place on Sunday 12 July 2009.

20 runners, made up of staff, trustees and friends of Counsel and Care will be running to help the charity raise funds to support the 250,000 older people, families and carers currently reached through its advice and information, and through its campaigning and influencing work. Last year we raised £20,000 and we aim to double this amount in 2009.

•To sponsor a runner or to run for Counsel and Care please contact Helen Dunkerley on 020 7241 8555 or see our website www.counselandcare.org.uk

•Donations can also be made via Just Giving on: www.justgiving.com/counselandcare/raisemoney

View press release.

Counsel and Care is looking for good – and bad – examples of media coverage relating to older people. The closing date for entries is Tuesday 30 June – less than a month away.

The Older People in the Media Awards will recognise individuals and/or organisations for positively portraying older people and will give 'Raspberries' to those whose work shows older people in a negative light. People will be asked to nominate in eight media categories.

Entry forms can be downloaded from our website: www.counselandcare.org.uk/influence/events

View press release.

Counsel and Care has today welcomed the appointment of Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP as Secretary of State for Health and Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care said:
"The age sector is in a time of great transition with a forthcoming social care funding Green Paper, and a new strategy for an ageing society. We are hopeful that the appointment of Andy and Yvette will ensure that these two important issues are kept high on the political agenda and that we will begin to see real change in the way that older people are portrayed and treated by society, and in how the care they receive is funded, commissioned and provided.

"We look forward to working with both Andy and Yvette in the months ahead. There has never been a greater need to maintain the drive for radical reform and more funding to ensure that social care is kept high up on the agenda in the run up towards the next general election."

View the press release in full.

Unpaid carers rank alongside the emergency services in terms of their contribution to society, according to new YouGov research, commissioned for Carers Week.

In the survey of over 2,000 people, six out of seven (86%) believe that carers make a valuable contribution to society, behind only nurses (91%) and firefighters (90%).

Plumbers are valued by 46% of the public, the Royal Family receive the support of 27%, with politicians (14%), bankers (12%) and footballers (5%) bringing up the rear.

View You Gov poll press release.

Almost three-quarters (74%) of people providing unpaid care for a loved one who is ill, frail or disabled have reached breaking point due to the pressures of their caring role, according to new research issued to launch Carers Week 2009 (8-14 June).

The results show that the strain of caring is causing carers such extreme levels of stress and depression that they are suffering breakdowns and, in some cases, even attempting suicide.

View survey press release.

Counsel and Care has today welcomed the report from the ippr and PriceWaterhouseCoopers on attitudes towards social care. The report highlights that there is still a worrying lack of awareness of social care and its nature amongst the public, with the majority not making any preparations for their own care in the future. The report calls for an independent panel set up by government to engage in a debate on the future of social care.

Click here to download the press release.

Counsel and Care has today (6 May 2009) published VotingAge, an older people's manifesto. The manifesto includes forewords from the leaders of all three main political parties.

Caroline Bernard, VotingAge project manager and Counsel and Care's Policy and Communications Manager said: "This manifesto – our 'White Paper' to government – could not have been written without the enthusiasm and energy of the older people that attended the regional events and responded to the written consultation. These are their words, in their voices.

"We look forward to discussing these findings with all of the political parties, and to seeing the issues affecting older people today – and tomorrow – addressed in all three general election party manifestos."

Click here to download the full press release.

Click here to download VotingAge: an older people's manifesto.

Counsel and Care provides expert and high-quality advice and information on care and support, and has today launched a completely updated set of 64 guides and factsheets that can support older people, their families and carers to understand their rights and entitlements in the midst of a confusing and ever-changing care system.

Click here to download the full press release.

Speaking at the 'New challenges for care homes' conference', Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, will say: "Older people are facing the toughest of times. The care gap is growing as more older people can't get the help and support they need. Now is not the time to grow old in Britain.

"The green paper can't come soon enough. The country needs bold leadership in creating a care system that is simpler, fairer, transparent, consistent and flexible. Older people and their families want nothing less. ...

"Of course we must make much better use of public spending on care, health and housing, and we must help people to make better use of their own resources. But the real challenge for government is what priority and what value does it place on old age in 21st century Britain. Will the government rise to the challenge of our ageing society and build a country that is good to grow old in?"

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care has welcomed the new social care workforce strategy announced by the Care Services Minister. The charity believes that professionalisation of the social care workforce is an integral part of the transformation of social care.

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care welcomes the measures in today's Budget that offer targeted financial intervention to ease the pressure experienced by vulnerable older people on low incomes and their families now. The charity is heartened that the Winter Fuel Payment for people over 60 and over 80 will continue at its increased levels for next year. Steps to increase the amount of savings an older person can have to £10,000 without it affecting entitlement to vital benefits such as Pension Credit, and to encourage older people on low incomes to claim back overpaid tax on savings are also long overdue.

However, while there has been some action, we will have to look to the forthcoming Green Paper, and the new strategy for an ageing society to judge whether Government will address the demands and needs of the ageing population with far-reaching change.

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care calls for the Budget on 22 April to provide direct financial intervention to ease the pressure on older people and their families trying to access vital care and support. The Budget will need to boldly address the growing crisis in social care, given the Government's acceptance that to do nothing is not an option.

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care urges viewers of the forthcoming Panorama programme to ensure they have access to independent advice and information if they are using or need homecare services.

The programme, to be broadcast on 9 April, looks set to paint a damning picture of homecare in Britain today, and implies that providers are cutting corners in order to make profits while local authorities are squeezing funding.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said: "If viewers are alarmed by the programme, it is important that they know where they can go for advice and information if they or a relative are concerned about the quality of homecare they are receiving. Counsel and Care provides independent, confidential advice that does not end until the issues are resolved."

Chick here to read the full press release.

Counsel and Care today welcomes the Health Secretary, Alan Johnson's pledge to abolish the institutional ageism that still pervades every aspect of the health and social care system.

While the charity is heartened by the announcement of such a pledge, it must be supported by real solutions and action to ensure an end to the scandalous care and treatment that older people currently experience as a result of such ageism.

Click to download the full version of the press release.

Counsel and Care calls for a co-ordinated approach to enforcement by the new regulator that puts power back in the hands of older people using services. It is vital that in urgent circumstances where older people are put at risk of harm, neglect or abuse, CQC moves fast to ensure they are safeguarded appropriately. The balance of power must be redressed so it lies with the older person and their need for quality care rather than with those providing the services.

Click here to view the full press release.

With the launch of the Care Quality Commission on 1 April 2009, Counsel and Care calls for the many different voices of older people and their carers to be taken into account by this vast new regulator. All too often for older people and their carers, involvement can just be a patronising and ageist tick-box exercise, warns Counsel and Care.

The multiple voices of older people who use services, their families and carers must be involved and listened to. They must not be treated as a homogenous group as their power stems from their diversity of background, culture and opinion. Instead, they must be treated as equals and positioned at the heart of everything the new regulator does.

Click here to view the full press release.

Click here to view Counsel and Care's response to the Care Quality Commission's statement of involvement consultation.

In these hard economic times, Counsel and Care has today launched two guides on charitable assistance and the social fund, vital sources of financial support for older people on low incomes.

Many older people are contacting Counsel and Care's advice service to tell us about the great difficulty they face in raising money for the most essential items such as a fridge, cooker or washing machine and to pay for vital housing repairs.

Funded by the Nuffield Foundation, Counsel and Care's two new guides offer helpful advice about how to access the social fund and the best way of finding relevant sources of charitable support.

Click here to view the full press release.

Click to view the two new guides: 4: Grants and loans from the state for people on low incomes (the Social Fund) and 21: Grants from charities for people on a low income.

Counsel and Care supports the findings of the Laing and Buisson Dementia Care Services UK Market Briefing 2009.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive, said: "This report should give cause for concern to the families and carers of older people with dementia living in care homes. The new Care Quality Commission should ensure that all care homes are able to meet the needs of people with dementia, unless they can provide a specific reason why they do not.

"The government's dementia strategy must keep its promise to deliver better care for people with dementia in care homes – backed up by sustained change and funding beyond the five year strategy. The forthcoming Green Paper on the funding of care also needs to address the issues raised in this report."

Click here to download our press release in full.

See also a link to more information on the Laing and Buisson report and to view our consultation response on the National Dementia Strategy.

Counsel and Care today launches a competition looking for good – and bad – examples of media coverage relating to older people.

The Older People in the Media Awards will recognise individuals and/or organisations for positively portraying older people and will give 'Raspberries' to those whose work shows older people in a negative light. People will be asked to nominate in eight media categories.

Winners will be chosen by a panel of expert judges. The closing date for entries is Tuesday 30 June 2009. The awards will be announced in September 2009 and presented at Counsel and Care's Annual Graham Lecture on 10 September 2009.

Entry forms can be downloaded from our website: www.counselandcare.org.uk/influence/events

Click here to view the full press release.

The closing date for taking part in the Carers Week survey for 2009 is just ten days away on the 21st March. We want to hear about your direct experiences of caring: your personal stories of the stresses and strains; the ups and downs. Make sure you take the opportunity to complete it if you have not already done so by logging on to the website at: www.carersweeksurvey.org.uk. Counsel and Care is one of ten charities supporting Carers Week this year. For more information on this year's events, please click here.

Counsel and Care is calling for consumer power, and with that, control and independence, to be given back to older people living in care homes.

We are supporting Age Concern England's Dignity not PEAnuts campaign for government to increase the amount of money that nearly 250,000 older people living in care homes have to manage on per week. We are calling for people to attend the PEA-day protest on Monday 9th March.

Find out more about the 'Dignity not PEAnuts' campaign at www.ageconcern.org.uk/pea
If you are able to attend, please RSVP to Samantha Nicklin on 020 8765 7653 or email Samantha.nicklin@ace.org.uk

Click here to view the press release.

Counsel and Care is today urgeing Government to increase investment in new technology to help more older people live in their home with safety and security. For every pound spent on telecare, five pounds could be saved on expensive hospital and residential care, according to new research published by Counsel and Care and Tunstall. The research is published at our annual conference in London on the future financing of older people's care, as the government prepares to publish a green paper on the funding of care for our ageing population.

Click here to download the press release in full.

The Government is today urged to look again at how inheritance tax could help fund a better care system in this country and stop older people losing their home to pay for a care home place. The call comes from Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, at the charity's annual conference, 'Right care Right deal', on financing care. The conference will be addressed by the Care Minister Phil Hope just weeks before the Government publishes a green paper on the future funding of care and support.

Click here to download the full press release.

Coverage of Stephen's speech at the conference appears on the Progress website: http://www.progressonline.org.uk/

The People's Award for Dignity in Care has been created to officially say thank you to our health and social care staff and highlight the remarkable work they do. Anyone employed in care-giving is eligible, from nurses and social workers, to hospital porters and nursing home employees, providing they have gone the extra mile to ensure dignity and respect in any area of health and social care.

The nominations are open now for the public to put forward health and social care workers for the award. Members of staff will also be able to nominate their colleagues, if their nomination is supported by a member of the public. You can nominate at www.dignityincare.org.uk or by calling 0870 000 1100.

The nominations close on 6 March and then ten regional finalists will be selected to go through to the final in July where the winner and runners up will meet Sir Michael Parkinson and Phil Hope, Minster for Care Services.

Regional and national case studies are available please contact Katy Ball on kball@webershandwick.com or call 020 7067 0211.

Counsel and Care and Keyways Publishing have joined together to give older people and professionals an opportunity to locate the services they need through the latest Directory of Services for Older People 2009/10. The Directory provides a comprehensive list of contacts for services for older people, putting the user directly in touch with specialists in health and social care.Online purchases made from Counsel and Care's website will result in a 25% donation, helping Counsel and Care to continue its work with older people, their families and carers to get the best care and support.

Spending on social care services for vulnerable older people has been slashed in the past year, leaving thousands without the care and support they need, according to Help the Aged, Counsel and Care and Carers UK, working together as the 'Right care Right deal' campaign. Evidence from a new NHS report into social services expenditure shows a real terms decrease of £150 million for older people's social care services, a drop of two per cent.

Click here to download the full press release.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive, Counsel and Care said: "We are encouraged by the launch of this ambitious vision for high quality dementia care, and especially by the funding pledged to date. A lot of work is now needed to put the 17 recommendations into practice. In particular, in ensuring all those who need it get a formal diagnosis and appropriate support, and in making the cultural shift in understanding both in the care workforce and in public awareness so meaningful change is felt on the ground for older people with dementia receiving care and support."

View the press release in full here.

Counsel and Care has today given a positive welcome to the government's announcement of a new UK Advisory Forum on Ageing. However, the Forum must be used effectively to ensure that older people whose voices are not normally heard by politicians and other decision makers are able to fully engage.

View the press release in full here.

Westminster City Council and Westminster PCT have partnered with Counsel and Care to help it deliver on universal advice and information for older people and their carers in Westminster. This is a significant step to fulfilling the Putting People First transformation programme at the local level and fundamental to the delivery of personalised services.

Marian Harrington, Director of Adult Social Services at Westminster City Council said: "Westminster City Council is delighted to be working in partnership with Counsel and Care. The combination of their specialist expertise and our local knowledge means we can provide a comprehensive advice and information service for our older people and their families."

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care said: "Good information and advice is vital for older people and carers and to make personalised services a reality. By partnering with Counsel and Care's independent advice service, local authorities and primary care trusts can take a major step in achieving the aims of Putting People First and enhancing their quality of service and reputation."

For more details on Counsel and Care's work with local authorities contact Michael Stuart, Development Manager on 020 7241 8531 or michael.stuart@counselandcare.org.uk

View full details of the press release.

With the last ever CSCI state of care report published today (27.01.09), the drive towards greater choice and control by older people needs to be stepped up and better funded.

Counsel and Care calls for access to more individualised support services for older people and their carers, such as information, advice and independent advocacy, and also more funding from government to stimulate the currently limited care market and provide a universal range of support services.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive, Counsel and Care said: "Transition this April from the Commission for Social Care Inspection to the new Care Quality Commission must not lead to a loss of momentum on quality and choice. Older people and carers cannot afford to wait. These urgent issues must be tackled head on by the forthcoming green paper on care funding."

Click here to download the full press release.

The Carers Week 2009 survey is currently underway at www.carersweeksurvey.org.uk

The survey will be seeking answers to the following questions:

* Is the contribution that carers make recognised by society?
* Do carers need access to better support and services?
* Would increased recognition by professionals, and by others who impact on carers day-to-day lives, make a difference to carers lives?

Go to our campaigns page for more information.

Counsel and Care has welcomed the publication of the BAPEN report Improving Nutritional Care and Treatment: Perspectives and Recommendations from Population Groups, Patients and Carers. We are one of the charities that participated in BAPEN's roundtable meeting to inform this report.

Click here to download a copy of the press release.
Click here to link to our publication 'A New Appetite for Life'.

Times remain hard for older people moving into a care home, but they are also getting worse, with difficulties being exacerbated by the ongoing financial gloom, according to the Finding and financing care in hard times report published today by Counsel and Care.

The top five issues that older people, their families and carers contacted Counsel and Care's advice service about in 2008 shed light on a community care system in crisis.

Worries about how to pay for a care home stay is the biggest concern for older people contacting Counsel and Care's advice service on a daily basis, making up 30% of all calls.

Click here to download the full press release.

Click here to download a copy of the report: Finding and financing care in hard times

With 2009 starting with a cold snap and extremely tough times ahead for the economy, advice and information about staying warm and safe over the rest of the winter months has been launched today by Counsel and Care.

Click here to download the full press release.

Click here to download the guide.

How hard-pressed local councils and the private and voluntary sector can provide personalised care for older people and their carers in spite of the economic gloom is the topic of Counsel and Care's annual conference in Spring 2009.

'Financing older people's care: Right care, Right deal' will take place on Wednesday 25 February 2009 in central London. Counsel and Care's annual conference is supported by ADASS, Better Government for Older People, Carers UK, the Department of Work and Pensions, Help the Aged, OPAAL UK, Solace Enterprises, and is sponsored by Tunstall.

Please click here to view the full press release.

In response to the launch today of the Welfare Reform White Paper, Counsel and Care calls for effective guidance and support for people when returning to work, in particular as a result of the new requirement for those aged between 60 and 65 to look for work.

Please click here to view the full press release.

A new guide to support people through the care funding maze and establish whether or not their loved one may be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare has been published today (8 December 2008) by Counsel and Care.

Click here to read the full press release.

Click here to view the new guide: Continuing healthcare - understanding the assessment process.

Counsel and Care welcomes the focus on 'fairness' in today's Queen's Speech (3rd December 2008), but questions whether it has gone far enough.

The charity welcomes the inclusion of the Equalities Bill, which shows that there will be a move to end the age discrimination that currently pervades all aspects of our society, from accessing healthcare and lifelong learning, to getting a good deal as a consumer.

However, in advance of Carers' Rights Day (5th December 2008), Counsel and Care calls for more recognition from government of the vital role that carers of older and disabled people play in our society. More support is needed, especially with flexible working so carers can balance their work and care responsibilities. But they also need more help with the cost of caring for an older relative, through improved benefits and tax exemptions such as 'care vouchers'. In this way, older workers and women can remain in work more easily, and give a badly needed boost to our struggling economy.

Please click here to download the full press release.

While social care provision - for those who can access it - is improving, according to the Commission for Social Care Inspection's (CSCI) performance report of local councils published today (27 November 2008), the significant majority of older people and their carers remain forgotten. Older people who cannot access the care and support system because of tightened criteria or because their income levels are just over the limit, have to go without both council support and much-needed advice and information.

Click here to view the full press release.

Of particular concern in the National Audit Office report is the finding that not enough care homes are training staff in the provision of end of life care, causing many care home residents to die in hospital unnecessarily.

Counsel and Care has already contributed to research in this area with our advance care planning good practice guide, and our range of guides to having a dignified death.

Care home providers, commissioners and hospitals will need to dedicate time to engage with this agenda to ensure that older people and others nearing end of life can die in the place and setting of their choosing.

Click here to download the full press release.

The Hampshire County Council's Care Commission Inquiry, 'Getting personal: a fair deal for better care and support' is a useful and timely contribution to the debate around social care reform, according to Help the Aged, Counsel and Care and Carers UK, working together as the 'Right care Right deal' campaign.

Click here to download the full press release.

Eligibility for care should be decided at a national, rather than a local level, according to three leading charities. Help the Aged, Counsel and Care and Carers UK, working together as the 'Right care Right deal' campaign, argue that a nationally determined social care system would end the injustice of a care postcode lottery and help people better prepare for their future.

Click here to download the full press release.

Click here to go to the Right care, Right Deal website for more details and to read the 'national versus local' background paper.

With the predictions of a cold snap and tougher times ahead for the economy, advice and information about staying warm and safe over the winter months has been launched today by Counsel and Care.

Click here to download the full press release.

Click here to download the guide.

In a global economy facing profound demographic as well as economic changes, the care debate must be viewed as a worldwide challenge to be faced by all nations.
Counsel and Care today publishes 'Reforming care and support: learning from Japan' and calls for a care debate that recognises the global impact of an ageing population.

Click here to download the full press release.

Click here to download a copy of the report.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said: "This is an inspired appointment. Joan Bakewell has a strong history of speaking up on issues affecting older people and particularly the blight of ageism. ...

"We look forward to working with Joan Bakewell to highlight the concerns and experiences of older people and their carers. This is a critical time as the Government prepares a green paper on the future funding of care and support."

Click here to download the full press release.

Around one million older people in the UK are seriously affected by sight loss and many also have hearing loss. Too many of these people are in the dark about the resources that may support them. Sensory loss affects people's independence and quality of life, often creating isolation and loneliness . At the same time as the number of older people is growing, older people's wish – and need – to remain independent is increasing too, and being hampered by a lack of information about what sight loss and hearing loss entails.

Please click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care welcomes CSCI's report, Cutting the cake fairly, which demonstrates how the urgent need for radical reform of the care and support system cannot be disregarded despite the troubled financial climate.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said: "However, it can't just be about how the cake is cut, but it must be about the size of the cake itself. We can and must be far more ambitious than this."

Any solutions posed by government must not skim the surface, but be much more far-reaching to tackle current problems successfully and build a new care and support system that is both sustainable and equitable while also able to meet the growing expectations and demands of our ageing population.

Click here to download the full press release.

Reacting to the publication by the Department of Health of the evaluation of the Individual Budgets pilot programme, the Right care, Right deal coalition has expressed caution about the way cash for care affects outcomes for older people.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive at Counsel and Care said:
"We must learn the lessons from the pilots as we roll out personal budgets. What is critical is that older people get proper support to take control of their care. That means making good information, advice and advocacy available to all who want and need it."

Please click here to download the full press release.

Not only Bingo, updated from the original publication for Counsel and Care by Sally Knocker, gives guidance to occupational therapists, activity organisers, and policy makers on the importance of offering a wide range of social activities in the care home environment. Dr Eric Midwinter, chair of the Centre for Policy on Ageing, has provided a new foreword to the second edition.

A New Appetite for Life, updated by Mike George and Linda Lennard, highlights the many serious consequences of failing to provide nutritious and attractive food and enjoyable mealtimes. It also points out the severe effects of not ensuring that older people drink enough. The new edition includes estimates of the substantial costs to the NHS and others of malnutrition among older care home residents, as well as the costs to older people themselves in terms of health, well-being and quality of life.

The order form for Not only Bingo, A New Appetite for Life and Counsel and Care's full range of publications can be downloaded from: www.counselandcare.org.uk/influence/publications/

In a contribution to the forthcoming green paper on the future of care and support, Counsel and Care today (16 October 2008) publishes a proposal for Lifelong, a universal package of support for older people, their families and carers. The national charity proposes that better care and support could be paid for from existing resources, including NHS spending, by investing in prevention and a new national care fund.

Click here to download the full press release.

Click to download a copy of 'Lifelong: a new vision for the wellbeing of all older people, their families and carers'.

Government, older people and carers are agreed that information and advice on community care issues are vital for people to access services and make informed choices. Yet individuals still fail to find the information they need and organisations struggle to provide it. Government, through the Putting People First transformation programme, has now committed itself to achieving universal information and advice as central to delivery of personalised services.

Counsel and Care is offering its expert, in-depth national advice and information service on community care issues to local authorities and Primary Care Trusts.

Please click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care has today welcomed the appointment of Phil Hope as Minister of State for Care Services.

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care has launched an exciting slideshow to celebrate the second UK Older People's Day.

The slideshow, Celebrating the Signs of Ageing, takes the viewer through life stages from childhood to older age, reminding us of the stages that many people will pass through during the life course.

Click here to download the full press release.

Click here to download the slideshow.

Counsel and Care and national children's charity, 4Children, have joined forces to launch a new report today, For All Ages. With the Office for National Statistics reporting that the number of over 65s has overtaken those under 16 for the first time in the UK, the report calls for a new approach to improve connections and build mutual understanding between the generations.

Click here to download the full press release.

Click here to download a copy of For All Ages.

VotingAge, a campaign run by and for older people, sought the views of older people across the country on issues that affect their lives. These views are being presented to politicians and delegates at all the 2008 party conferences.

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care has a new chair: Sushil Radia. He was elected at Counsel and Care's AGM earlier this month and has taken over from Pam Hibbs CBE, who was chair of Counsel and Care from 2004-2008.

Sushil Radia is Managing Director of Westminster Homecare Limited and has been a trustee of Counsel and Care since 1999. He is a Non-Executive Director of UKHCA, and has been involved in the care of elderly sector since 1989.

Click here to download the full press release.

Well over half of respondents to a brand new poll of adults in England carried out by the 'Right care, Right deal' campaign think that the social care system for older people is "depressing". 57% of people questioned were prepared to agree with that description, with 51% of respondents stating that social care for older people who need help is "confusing".

Alongside the new poll, Help the Aged, Counsel and Care and Carers UK – the three members of the 'Right care, Right deal' campaign - are launching a major new report on care and support in England in the 21st century. Entitled 'It's Everybody's Business', the report underlines the task Ministers face as they prepare a Green Paper on social care, due early next year.

Click here to read the full press release.

Click here to download a copy of 'It's Everybody's Business' from the Right Care, Right Deal website.

The cost of care at home for older people is rising rapidly, hitting up to £18 a hour, according to an annual survey of local authorities published today (02.09.08) by Counsel and Care.

Click here to download the full press release.

Click here to read the survey report.

Today (1.09.08) marks the start of the second annual ElderCare Week, organised by Counsel and Care, the national charity getting the best care and support for older people, their families and carers. Events and special activitiesinclude our Annual Graham Lecture, our morning 'Right Care, Right Deal' debate, launch of our new guides and factsheets and publication of our annual care charging survey.

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care welcomes today's publication of the report by the Work and Pensions Committee, Valuing and Supporting Carers (29.08.08). Better support for carers is a key aspect of the transformation of the social care system. We agree with the report's assertion that the funding gap in social care must be addressed in the forthcoming Green Paper. Counsel and Care also calls for further funding to become available to boost carers' income and help carers stay in work.

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care announces the winners of its Good Neighbours competition which searched for caring, compassionate individuals who helped family, friends and neighbours when they needed support.

The awards will be presented at the Counsel and Care Annual Graham Lecture on 4 September 2008 in honour of Rose Hacker, Counsel and Care's oldest supporter, who died in February 2008, aged 101.

The charity sought nominations for people who regularly visit a housebound older neighbour, young people who give care and support to frail older neighbours, and older people themselves who care for their neighbour's children, or other older people.

Click here to download the full press release.

This year's Graham Lecture on 4 September: 'Squaring the Circle: Living Longer but Living on Less – Can we afford to remain healthy and happy?' will be given by the Rt Hon David Blunkett MP. Here is a flavour of his speech prior to the day:

Mr Blunkett will say: "For most of us, we want to be what we have always been – independent, self-reliant and active men and women. In this speech, I will address how the existing government agenda (including its concentration through the Green Paper) and imaginative additions can meet a challenge which in years to come will touch virtually every family in the country as our population ages and time beyond the point of substantial earnings is extended. This must be a promise, not a threat."

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care today gives its support to the recommendations made by the all party parliamentary group on local government's inquiry into services for older people. Stephen Burke said: "This report shows the current reality for older people, their families and carers of a care and support system in crisis. As such, it is urgent that the debate we have now be as groundbreaking as possible to ensure a vision of a bright future for care and support for everyone."

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care has launched a new campaign to produce a national manifesto for older people for the next General Election. VotingAge, a campaign run by and for older people, is seeking the views of older people across the country on issues that affect their lives.

Click here to register for the consultation event for Leeds on the 29 July for your opportunity to contribute your opinions towards this manifesto. See details of our previous events in London and Southampton on our events page

If you are unable to attend our events and would still like to contribute to the campaign, please contact us and a copy of the Green Paper can be sent to you for a written response. Or you can download a copy of the Green Paper here.

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care calls on local councils to plan properly for an ageing population, as the Audit Commission's findings (published today) show that, despite pockets of innovative practice, most councils are ignoring the fact that older people have as much right to be active and socially involved in their local community as younger generations.

Click here to read the full press release.

Click here to find out more about Counsel and Care's VotingAge campaign.

Counsel and Care is heartened that issues such as information and advice, advance care planning, involving and supporting families and carers, and choice around place of death have all been tackled in the Government's new strategy on end of life care.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive, said: "Older people, including those living in care homes, must be able to obtain the right care and the right deal at the end of life. This must involve real choice, voice and support for the older person and their families and carers."

Click here to read the full press release.

Click here to view our newly published guide on advance care planning.
Also, click here to see our seven factsheets on preparing for death and serious illness.

The report recognises the challenge brought by an ageing population, and at the same time celebrates longevity as something to be embraced, not feared.

Click here to download the full press release

Transforming Social Care: Putting People First takes place on Tuesday 15 July in central London. Delegates will hear from Ivan Lewis, Minister of State for Social Care, how the government plan to address the needs of people using social care services who have hitherto had to fit their lives around the services, rather than having the services to meet their needs and aspirations.

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care gives its support to the Alzheimer's Society's new report The Dementia Tax - Charging for people with dementia for inadequate care: the evidence for change.

Click here to download the press release

Counsel and Care has launched a new campaign to produce a national manifesto for older people for the next General Election. VotingAge, a campaign run by and for older people, is seeking the views of older people across the country on issues that affect their lives.

Our three consultation events will provide you with the opportunity to contribute your opinions towards this manifesto. Click here to register for the consultation event for Leeds on the 29 July. Events also take place in Southampton on 21 May and in London on 23 June. See more details on our events page.

If you are unable to attend our events and would still like to contribute to the campaign, please contact us and a copy of the Green Paper can be sent to you for a written response. Or you can download a copy of the Green Paper here.

Click here to download the full press release.

Ascertaining Wishes: A Good Practice Guide: advance care planning for care homes for older people follows a research project undertaken by Lancaster University with Counsel and Care, funded by the Nuffield Foundation and care home provider Friends of the Elderly. The project aimed to describe current advance care planning practice in care homes for older people; to what extent this is currently undertaken, and to highlight good practice already in use, in order to develop the guide.

Click here to read the full press release

Counsel and Care has welcomed the launch today of the new strategy for carers and in particular the increase in planned respite care. The charity said it hoped further funding would become available to boost carers' income and help carers stay in work.

Click here to read the full press release.

Counsel and Care will be raising funds at the Asics British 10k London run on Sunday 6 July 2008. 19 runners, made up of staff, trustees and friends of Counsel and Care will be running to help the charity raise funds to support the 250,000 older people, families and carers currently reached through its advice and information, and through its campaigning and influencing work.

Click here to read the full press release.

Counsel and Care stands firmly in support of the Coalition on Charging's call for government to undertake a thorough review of home care charges, especially the impact of rising costs and restricted eligibility criteria on the lives of older people and their carers.

Click here to read the full press release.

Click here to read the report on the NCIL's website.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said:
"For too long older people with dementia living in a care home have had to endure impersonal care and treatment. ... However, this new report from CSCI gets right to the heart of what makes good quality care. It takes a person-centred approach, with effective communication between the older person and staff to ensure that the care and support they receive is tailored to their individual needs."

Click here to read the full press release.

This new award - Social Care Personality of the Year - was made in recognition of the significant contribution made by Stephen Burke, and his colleagues at Counsel and Care, to the social care sector this year. Announcing the winner, Mary Bryce, Chair of Ceretas, said that Counsel and Care's work is respected and acknowledged both by government and senior management in the social care industry.

Click here to read the full press release.

4Children is helping to challenge stereotypes and bring older and younger people closer together by hosting its 'Safe and Stronger Communities' conference in central London on Wednesday 18 June. This conference, supported by Counsel and Care, will bring children and youth sector workers and professionals who work with older people together to learn from experts, share experiences from existing work and help shape policy.

Click here to download the full press release and here for more details of the event, including how to register.

Stephen Burke, chief executive of Counsel and Care, said: "I welcome the appointment of Sir Michael Parkinson as the National Ambassador for Dignity. It is vital that any discussions around the care debate also include promotion of dignity and quality in care, rather simply discussing who pays for what. The extension of the Dignity in Care campaign recognises that people must experience dignity in care as the rule rather than the exception."

Click here to read the full press release.

National charity Counsel and Care has welcomed today's launch of the debate on the future of care and support in this country. We want to encourage everyone to take part in the debate and have set up a blog to ensure the views of older people, their families and carers are included.

Click here to read the full press release.

Click here to add your comments to our blog. We look forward to reading your views!

Counsel and Care welcomes the publication by the Commission for Social Care Inspection of their star ratings for quality in care homes and care agencies. They should enable older people, their relatives and carers to, at-a-glance, pick out the details of an 'excellent' home from those of an 'adequate' home.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said: "Any up-to-date and accurate information that can be provided to an older person or their relative or carer about a care home will always be of value, especially as, unfortunately, a move to a care home often happens during times of great stress or illness. Many people are often left with little more than a list of names of homes when having to make such a choice.

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care has launched a new campaign to produce a national manifesto for older people for the next General Election. VotingAge, a campaign run by and for older people, is seeking the views of older people across the country on issues that affect their lives.

Our three consultation events will provide you with the opportunity to contribute your opinions towards this manifesto. Click here to register for the consultation event for London on the 23 June. Events will also take place in Southampton on 21 May and in Leeds on 29 July. See more details on our events page.

If you are unable to attend our events and would still like to contribute to the campaign, please contact us and a copy of the Green Paper can be sent to you for a written response. Or you can download a copy of the Green Paper here.

Click here to download the full press release.

This annual ElderCare Week will take place from 1-7 September 2008 with special activities, including Counsel and Care's Annual Graham Lecture, which this year will be delivered by the Rt Hon David Blunkett MP, and a morning debate on 'Right care, Right deal' that we are running with Help the Aged and Carers UK.

Local groups are encouraged to host events to mark this awareness raising week, which will be advertised on Counsel and Care's website and to regional media.

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care has launched a new campaign to produce a national manifesto for older people for the next General Election. VotingAge, a campaign run by and for older people, is seeking the views of older people across the country on issues that affect their lives.

Our three consultation events will provide you with the opportunity to contribute your opinions towards this manifesto. Click here to register for the consultation event for the South region on the 21 May. Events will also take place in London on 23 June and in Leeds on 29 July. See more details on our events page.

If you are unable to attend our events and would still like to contribute to the campaign, please contact us and a copy of the Green Paper can be sent to you for a written response. Or you can download a copy of the Green Paper here.

Click here to download the full press release.

A completely updated set of 48 factsheets about issues affecting older people, their families and carers is published today by Counsel and Care. They are indispensable guides for anyone who needs to access care and support, or wants to find out more about their benefits and entitlements if they are over 60.

Counsel and Care's advice service is also targeted towards the families and carers of people over 60, as these are often the people involved in ensuring their older relatives receive the care and support they are entitled to.

Click here to download Counsel and Care's factsheets free of charge from our website. Alternatively, telephone our factsheet orderline on 020 7241 8522.

Click to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care has given its support to the findings of the BAPEN Nutrition Screening Week (NSW) survey. The charity is concerned to learn that more than 1 in 4 adults admitted to care homes and hospitals are at risk of malnutrition.

Click to download the full press release.

Click here to order a copy of our publication, A New Appetite for Life, developed to assist care home practitioners with nutrition in care homes. This policy and practice report was written by Mike George and Linda Lennard with a foreword from Baroness Sally Greengross, Chief Executive of the International Longevity Centre UK.

Counsel and Care has today launched a competition to search for caring, compassionate individuals who help family, friends and neighbours when they need support. This year's awards are being presented in honour of Rose Hacker, Counsel and Care's oldest supporter, who died in February 2008, aged 101.

Entry forms are available by clicking here

Click here to download the press release

Counsel and Care welcomes the Government's intention to include an amendment to the Health and Social Care Bill currently in Parliament that will provide essential protection for many thousands of older people living in care homes.

Click here to download the press release

Counsel and Care, is hosting a major conference to examine ways to improve the quality of life of older people living in care homes.

Click here to download the press release

Counsel and Care welcomes measures highlighted in today's Budget to assist pensioners on lower incomes with their energy bills and to ensure that energy providers further fulfil their social responsibilities towards the most vulnerable in our society.

Click here to download the press release

Accessed from the home page of the Counsel and Care website, the shop provides equipment to provide assistance with walking, sleeping, eating, bathing, and more.Free delivery is available on orders worth £100 or over.

Click to download the full press release.

In a collaborative publishing venture, national charity Counsel and Care and the country's 'self-help' legal publisher, Lawpack Publishing, has just published a revised edition of Caring for loved ones in old age. Aimed at providing individuals, families and communities with help, guidance and assistance in caring for elderly loved loves this valuable book can now be purchased direct from Counsel and Care's website.

Click to download the full press release.

With the publication today of our new report, Delivering A Sure Start to Later Life: exploring new models of neighbourhood services for older people, Counsel and Care calls for a parallel agenda for adults that looks at how we achieve positive outcomes for all older and disable people and their carers.

Click to download the full press release.

Click to download a copy of the full report.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, will tell the charity's annual conference that local authorities face a choice - either continue to restrict care and other services or take a new approach and create caring neighbourhoods that are good places for older people to live in.

He will say: "This new approach can be financed in three ways - from better use of existing local resources not just care budgets; by helping individuals make better use of their assets; and through extra investment from local government."

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care warmly welcomes the Government's housing strategy for an ageing society. It combines the need for both practical action now with ambitious plans for the future to improve homes and local neighbourhoods for older people.

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care's annual conference on 27 February will focus on making choice and control for older people and their carers a reality, as the debate grows in advance of the care funding green paper. The conference marks the beginning of a series of events in 2008 which will contribute to the debate and the way forward.

Click here to download the full press release.

The annual State of Care report makes a powerful case for urgent, radical reform for older people. It is a national disgrace that so many frail older people are left to fend for themselves.

Speaking at the launch of the report, Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said: 'This report shows the sharp reality for older people, their families and carers of a care system in crisis. A crisis of fairness and confidence as well as funding has resulted in 'forgotten' older people who are left without support to navigate the care maze alone, while others with similar needs in other areas get care and access to information. Without urgent change, the move towards person-centred care will be a revolution for the few, not the many.'

Click here to download the full press release.

Two-thirds of people in the UK say they have no plans to put any money aside to fund their social care in older age. Moreover, two-thirds of people are more likely to seek help from family and friends, rather than look to local council support. The results come from a survey conducted for Counsel and Care, Help the Aged and Carers UK by GfK NOP.

This news comes as Counsel and Care, Help the Aged and Carers UK launch 'Right Care, Right Deal', a new campaign calling for a settlement for social care in England.

To show your support for the campaign and receive regular updates, sign up here or call 020 7239 1984.

Click here to download the full press release.

'Personalised care and support: making choice and control a reality for older people and their carers' will take place on Wednesday 27 February 2008 in central London. This conference will promote debate about how the Putting People First initative will be put into practice successfully.

Senior practioners from the health, local government and third sectors will discuss the shape of both current and future social care provision. This major one-day conference will be chaired by Stephen Burke, Chief Executive, Counsel and Care, and speakers include Ivan Lewis, MP, Paul Snell, Chief Inspector, CSCI and Anne Williams, President, ADASS.

Click here to download the full press release.
More details about the event, along with booking information can be found here.

Care homes should be exactly what they say they are - both caring and homely. While there are may good homes, unfortunately things still can and do go wrong.
Your care home - is it up to standard? explains in a user-friendly and accessible way what the key standards are and what older people and their families should expect from the staff and the home.

This guide can be ordered by contacting Counsel and Care on 020 7241 8522 or downloading the publications order form.

Click here to download the full press release.

The Kathleen and Michael Connolly Foundation has provided £5,000 in order for Counsel and Care to run a project supporting vulnerable older people in the Bedfordshire area. We supported 80 older people and their carers in Bedfordshire during 2007, and our aim is to reach over 100 older people in the county this year.

Click here to download the full press release

Counsel and Care anticipates that with Ruth Marks' appointment as Commissioner for Older People in Wales, people over 60 in Wales will now benefit from having one person who can represent them at a high level and act as an ambassador on their behalf to improve services for older people.

Stephen Burke, our Chief Executive said: "We are encouraged by this appointment and wish to see the same for England in the near future. ... England, like Wales, should also benefit from having an older people's champion."

Click here for the full press release.

The Caring Choices report published today shows a social care system in crisis: a crisisof funding, fairness and confidence. The Government has promised a 'radical rethink' of the care system. Counsel and Care calls for this reform to be ambitious: the new care system must be simpler, fairer, consistent, transparent and flexible in order to make a real difference for this and future generations of older people.

Click here to download the full press release.

'Care in the UK' begins on 7 January at midday on Radio 4's You and Yours programme. Ivan Lewis, the care minister will be appearing and throughout the 'care' month, both social care professionals, such as Dame Denise Platt (CSCI), and those with a personal tale to tell, such as Tony Robinson, will get a chance to speak.

The issue of care is one that affects us all. To kickstart the debate on the future of social care, You and Yours also wants to hear your views. Contact the programme via their website and on 15 January, they will be taking your calls on social care. The Department of Health has agreed that the views and suggestions of BBC listeners and viewers will be looked at as part of their national consultation.

Informal and private care is plugging a funding gap of £25k for every disabled person over the age of 65 in Britain today says A Charter for Change, a new report from Counsel and Care. Coming ahead of a Green Paper on Social Care, we are calling for 2008 to be 'the year of the care debate' and urge Government to adopt our radical new framework for the future of social care.

Click to download the full press release.

Click to download a copy of the full report.

We support the recommendation made by the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) for a reform of Carer's Allowance. It is clear that the current system of supporting carers is no longer fit for purpose.

Click here to download the full press release.

CSCI's new report into use of restraint in the care of older people is a important one for both care staff and families and carers. There is a need for open debate and clear guidance so everyone involved is aware what is 'good' and what is 'bad' practice when trying to ensure the older person stays safe and protected while still able to exercise their right to make choices and to take risks.

Click here to download full press release.

Today's launch of the Putting People First initiative will spearhead the drive to put more cash and control into the hands of older people using care in Britain, says Counsel and Care. While we welcome the resources diverted from the NHS to fund the initiative, we do call for extra funding to deliver universal information, advice and advocacy to give older people the support they need to exercise real choice and control.

Click here to download the full press release.

Talking about death and dying is society's last great taboo. This means that we often don't prepare properly for death and serious illness until it is too late. To break down these barriers, and to ensure people are aware of their rights and entitlements when they or their loved ones near the end of life, Counsel and Care has today published seven new factsheets.

Click here to download the press release.

Click here to view all our factsheets.

This week, StartHere launches its online signposting resource designed to direct people towards the most relevant organisation for the help they require. Counsel and Care is one of the charities involving in piloting its service.

Click here to view StartHere on our 'helping you' page.
Click here to download the full press release.

Speaking today at 'Delivering the future of housing for older people and an ageing population' conference, Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care will say: "Care begins at home. Older people want to stay living in their own home for as long as possible. We need to make that easier by investing in repairs and adaptations, telecare and other practical support both in the home and getting out and about. Older people also want better information and advice about the help available and how to make the most of their housing assets."

Please see here for the full press release.

Counsel and Care gives its support to the recommendations made by the Alzheimer's Society's new report Home from Home: quality of care for people with dementia living in care homes.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said:
"Counsel and Care will work alongside the Alzheimer's Society and its partners to ensure that older people with dementia living in care homes receive proper needs assessments and appropriate care, and that their families and carers are treated as equal partners in the care partnership."

Please see here for the full press release.

More investment in preventative care will lead to reduced hospital admissions and substantial savings for the NHS,Counsel and Care's annual conference on Sure Start to Later Life will hear today (27 November 2007).

Creative approaches involving older people in care, health and housing services can promote better lives for older people in their own homes rather than institutional care.

Click here to download the full press release.

Much more could be done by employers and Government to support the growing number of carers who work and want to work, says Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care.

Carers should been given the same rights at work as parents - particularly by extending tax breaks for childcare vouchers to care vouchers.

Click here to download the full press release.

Better support and recognition of carers of older people, particularly older carers, are critical to proposed reform of social care, says Counsel and Care in A New Strategy for Carers , its latest policy paper published today.

Whilst Counsel and Care welcomes recent measures made by Government as part of the new deal for carers, much more needs to be done. Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said: "Carers save the country more than the NHS budget alone. ... All carers, and the growing number of older carers, need to be better supported and empowered so that they have a say in shaping services for themselves and the people they care for."

Click here to download a copy of Counsel and Care's latest policy discussion paper.

The full press release can be read here.

Extreme weather can affect older people more severely than other groups and often existing health conditions can be adversely affected by weather conditions.

With winter up ahead, our factsheet 26 covers how to cope with extremes of temperature, making sure that you keep safe and well. It also covers energy saving tips and Government schemes available to help with energy costs.

Please click here to download factsheet 26: 'Health difficulties caused by hot and cold weather'.

For more details, click here to download the press release.

National charity Counsel and Care welcomes the content of A fair contract with older people, the timely new report from CSCI, which looked into people's experiences of finding a care home.

Click here to download the full press release.

National charity Counsel and Care has published two new guides for involved professionals on improving care for older people living in care homes. The guides aim to improve quality of life for older people by improving both food and activities in care homes.

Click here to download the full press release.

Counsel and Care has today welcomed the move towards the personalisation of services and local investment that can involve more older people in shaping their own care services.

Click here to download the full press release

Counsel and Care welcomes today's spending review announcement of a 'radical rethink' of social care for older people. The proposed Green Paper offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to develop a lasting settlement, providing a fair and affordable sharing of the cost of care for our ageing population.

Click here to download the full press release

Counsel and Care welcomed the commitment today by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to better care and support for older people, their families and carers.

Click here to download the full press release.

'My death, my choice', a fringe event at the Labour Conference on 25 September, will focus on the real challenges for caring and carers at the end of life. The event presented by Counsel and Care, the National Council for Palliative Care and Sue Ryder Care, will examine the challenges the first-ever End of Life Care Strategy faces, and how we ensure it succeeds.

Speakers include:
Ivan Lewis MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health
Eve Richardson, Chief Executive, National Council for Palliative Care
Stephen Burke, Chief Executive, Counsel and Care
Paul Woodward, Chief Executive, Sue Ryder Care

For more information, click here to download the flyer.

Counsel and Care has announced the publication of two step-by-step guides to using direct payments for older people, their families and carers.

They were developed as part of the Keeping Control project, which involved direct consultation with older people.

These guides can be ordered by contacting Counsel and Care on 020 7241 8522 or downloading the publications order form.

The full press release can be read here.

Three-quarters of the public are prepared to pay 1p extra on income tax in order to fund better and fairer care for older people, according to a YouGov survey published today.

This survey was commissioned by Lawpack Publishing Ltd and Counsel and Care to accompany the publication of their book, Caring for loved ones in old age, and the launch of the first-ever ElderCare Week (3-9 September 2007).

The full press release can be read here.

Counsel and Care together with Lawpack Publishing has today announced to publication of a new book on everything you need to know about 'care in old age'.

Published to coincide with the first-ever ElderCare Week, Caring for loved ones in old age provides individuals, families and communities with help, guidance and assistance in caring for elderly loved ones.

The full press release can be read here.

Counsel and Care's 'Keeping Control' project examined reasons why there was low take-up of Direct Payments by older people. It sought ways of encouraging involvement in this beneficial scheme.

The project culminates with the launch of the Brief and Complete Guides to using Direct Payments for older people on Thursday, 13 September 2007 in City Hall's London Living Room. It is organised by Counsel and Care and supported by the Mayor of London and the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.

More details, including how to order copies of the guides, can be found here.

Counsel and Care is holding a debate on older people and new technology and its annual Graham Lecture on 6 September 2007 at the BT Centre in London.

Chaired by Kim Catcheside of the BBC, the debate is entitled Older people and technology: choice, control and flexibility, and will involve a host of expert speakers.

Esther Rantzen CBE will give this year's lecture, entitled 'Warning'. The theme of the day is intergenerational relationships, with the winners of Counsel and Care's creative writing competition My Grandparents and Me being announced. The Duchess of Gloucester, Counsel and Care's patron, will present the awards.

The events form part of the first ever Eldercare Week from 3-9 September 2007.

The full press release can be read here.

Click here for Stephen Burke's appearance on Radio Five Live during ElderCare Week to promote the care issues facing older people.

The first ever ElderCare Week, organised by Lawpack Publishing Ltd and Counsel and Care, aims to highlight the care issues facing older people and how they and their families can get the best advice and plan ahead.

This national awareness week will take place from 3-9 September 2007 with special activities, including publication of Caring for loved ones in old age, written by Counsel and Care and published by Lawpack Publishing. The week will also highlight Counsel and Care's advice service for older people, their families and carers.

The full press release can be read here.

See here for link to Stephen Burke's appearance on Radio Five Live during ElderCare Week.to promote the care issues facing older people.

A group of leading employers and charities including Counsel and Care today call on Prime Minster Gordon Brown to help carers balance work with their caring responsibilities by giving a tax break for care vouchers. Employers would provide the vouchers as a benefit to help their staff who are carers.

The full press release can be read here.

Click here to download the full report.

Counsel and Care today publishes its annual care charging survey, which shows an ever-tightening squeeze and increasing costs for older people needing care and support.

The full press release can be read here

Click here to download the report.

Counsel and Care has today welcomed the new National Framework for Continuing Care, but has expressed concern about the level of the new single nursing care rate, and the long term funding of social care.  The charity is also keen to see how health and social care partners will integrate services for true joint working.

The full press release can be read here

The Hospital Saturday Fund has donated £1,000 to Counsel and Care. Gloria Hunniford presented the donation at a reception held at The Tower of London, which included a private viewing of the Crown Jewels. The donation will help 100 older people with advice, information and factsheets on getting the best care and support they need.

The full press release can be read here

Counsel and Care has today welcomed the new Supporting People strategy launched by local government minister Phil Woolas, but expects to see appropriate levels of funding in the next Comprehensive Spending REview.  The minister has urged the third sector to take up the opportunity to help to deliver Supporting People services to vulnerable people.

The full press release can be read here

Big lottery funding helps kickstart one stop shop on care advice for older people, their families and carers.

A pioneering one stop shop on care advice led by a unique partnership involving several national older people's charities and a financial advice company has been awarded start-up funding by the Lottery. The new service aims to make it easier to get quality advice and information on care for our ageing population.

The full press release can be read here

New deal for carers - have your say
The Government is developing a national strategy to shape support for carers. The Department of Health is leading this work which includes a nationwide consultation with carers and voluntary organisations.

For further details please click here

Carers Week 11-17 June 2007
Relationships put to test under strain of caring.
A new, in-depth survey of 3,500 carers has uncovered the negative impact that their role can have on the relationship they enjoy with their partner.

The full press release can be read here

With a new Prime Minister shortly to take office and the outcome of the 2007 spending review due in October, it’s a crucial time for the future of care and support for older people.

The full press release can be read here.

Counsel and Care has launched a competition celebrating the special relationship between grandparents and grandchildren.

The aim of the competition is to choose the best examples of creative writing from grandchildren and grandparents that celebrate the relationships between the generations.

The full press release can be read here

This summer a major conference supported by the Department of Health and Counsel and Care, will discuss some of the innovative ways in which the health and well being of older people can be improved by moving the focus from partnership towards integration of services through Local Area Agreements and by making more use of the third sector.

The full press release can be read here

New coalition launches national debate on the future of long term care funding

Counsel and Care has joined forces with fourteen other organisations to host seven regional debates across the UK, which aim to address the current failings of care system and look at potential solutions.

The second Caring Choices event will take place Friday 25 May in Birmingham

For further details and  dates of each event please click here

‘Crime and Older People: Reducing fear, building confidence’ will take place on Wednesday 4 July 2007 in Westminster. It is organised by Counsel and Care and supported by the Greater London Authority and Crime Concern.

The conference will promote a debate around crime and older people and practical responses to the issues. It will focus on intergenerational work, neighbourhood policing, financial abuse and transport with case studies of successful local schemes. The event follows on from the Mayor of London’s older people’s strategy launched last autumn.  

The full press release can be read here

A completely updated set of 40 factsheets about issues affecting older people, their families and carers is published today by Counsel and Care.

The full press release can be read here

Counsel and Care today publishes a new factsheet for older people who work in their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond.  ‘Older People in Paid Employment’ is a guide to their entitlements and rights as older workers.

The full press release can be read here

Counsel and Care's campaign for tax breaks on care vouchers is growing as hundreds of people sign a new petition on the No.10 website

The full press release can be read here

The aim of the competition is to choose the best examples of creative writing from grandchildren and grandparents that celebrate the relationships between the generations.

Entry forms are available by clicking here.

The full press release can be read here.

Welcoming the framework, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, Stephen Burke said: "The Secretary of State has set out a productive vision for the future of health and care services, as well as providing a framework for it to take place.  Older people in particular will benefit from this joint commissioning agenda, and hopefully the current barriers to people receiving crucial low level services which prevent further more serious ill-health will be broken down."

The full press release can be read here.

'Meaningful and effective involvement' sets out guidelines developed by Counsel and Care in collaboration with older people themselves.  The guide aims to provide support for organisations who want to develop better ways of involving older people in debates and decisions about the services they run.

The guide, written by Jan Reed and Glenda Cook suggests using a model of involvement called the '7 I's framework'.  The seven component of the framework are:

• Intention
• Inclusion
• Information
• Infrastructure
• Integration
• Influcence
• Impact

To order please download a publications order form from here.

Click here for the full press release.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care said today: “The army of carers in the UK need more support, guidance, information and resources to help them continue in their caring role.  Up to now, support for carers has been patchy – in some local areas respite services and benefit take up is excellent, but too many carers go without the support they are entitled to, or risk their own health because they cannot access the essential support they need.  The new national carers’ strategy is a great opportunity to address these needs."

The full press release can be read here.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care will today (12 Feb 07) address the annual Counsel and Care conference about independent advice and advocacy for older people.  He will call on Government to support the delivery of independent advice and advocacy nationally and locally to ensure that older people can make informed choices wherever they live.

The conference will take place at Thistle Marble Arch, London.  Details can be obtained from www.neilstewertassociates.com.

The full press release detailing Stephen Burke's comments can be read here.

The charity today calls for an independent care complaints commission to be set up to help older people and their families flag up their concerns about poor care and see urgent action taken to deal with complaints.  A new body could also help staff who suspect neglect and abuse to whistleblow and protect over 400,000 older people living in care homes.

Click here for the full press release.

The Counsel and Care advice service can give comprehensive advice about all issues affecting older people, and particularly about care homes and any concerns people may have about the care they or their relative receives.

Click here for the full press release.

Our factsheet number 26 Heath Difficulties caused by Hot and Cold Weather covers how to cope in very cold and very hot weather, making sure that you keep yourself safe and well.  Please click here to download factsheet 26.

Stephen Burke is chairing the 'Work, Families and Carers' conference which gathers employers and stakeholders from across the sectors, who are interested in successfully managing the new rules for carers.  From April 2007, near relatives who have caring responsibilities for their older relatives will have the right to request flexible working to better balance their family life with work life.  The growing number of such carers in the workforce means that this is an issue which is essential for employers, so that they are making the most of their workforce.

Read the full press release here.

Real choice, real voice: older people in control looks at how care services can be reshaped to deliver the goals of the health and social care White Paper Our health, our care, our say.  The smarter commissioning of advice, advocacy and information, early intervention, Individual Budgets and Direct Payments, and telecare, the paper argues, are key to delivering the original Independence, well-being and choice vision set out by the Government.

The report also diccusses the role of the third sector in delivering services, and examines how organisations from all sectors, including private providers, can better meet the needs and aspirations of older people, their families and carers.

Recommendations are made for action by central and local government, service providers and commissioners.

The report can be downloaded by clicking here.

Counsel and Care’s response to the Commission for Social Care Inspection’s State of Social Care report can be downloaded from here.

With our ageing population, urgent action is needed to stop the Care Gap widening.

Older people face major problems getting the care and support they need in Britain today.

This new policy paper exposes the Care Gap - the difference between what older people need and what care and support is available.

To download a press release about Closing the Care Gap click here.

Click here to download the report in full.

The keynote speaker will be Department for Trade and Industry Minister, Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP and the conference will be chaired by Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care.  Other speakers include Imelda Redmond of Carers UK, Lynne Keeble of Accor Services, Matt Dean of Byrne Dean and case studies from Higher Nature and DX & SMS Group.

Details and booking arrangements for the conference can be found at www.symposium-events.co.uk.

'Empowering older people - delivering better choice and control through better independent advice and advocacy' will take place in London on Tuesday 20th February 2007.

The keynote speaker will be James Purnell MP, Minister for Pensions Reform at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).  Delegates will also hear contributions from Janet Walden, Programme Director - Promoting Independence at the Department of Health; Hugh Pullinger, Head of Older People and Ageing Society at the Department for Work and Pensions; Anne Williams, Vice-President, ADSS; Rodney Brooke, General Social Care Council; and John Galvin, Elderly Accommodation Counsel.

More details about the event, along with booking information can be found here.

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