Carer Support Service - News for Carers

Issue No. 81
December 2007 / January 2008

All the members of the team here at West Lodge would like to wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas time and send you our best wishes for the coming year.

Carers' Rights Day 2007

Carers' Rights Day raises awareness of the needs of carers with policy makers and professionals. This year's theme is Caring Costs and the focus is on carers and work and the other costs of caring. It will be in the Central Hall at the Dolphin Centre on Friday 7th December 2007, and will be followed by lunch. Clare Woodford from the Equal Partners programme for Carers UK will be talking about ‘Making Your Voice Heard and Influencing Services’. Also, Bob Parker, the Service & Integration Manager from Adult Services, will be talking about Service Developments 2008 to 2010.

If you would like more information, or to book a place, please contact the Carers' Support Service on 357533.

Book Your Flu Jab!

Flu jabs are now available to all carers in GP surgeries. You must contact your own surgery to make arrangements. There has been a delay owing to the lack of growth in a specific bacteria but this has been overcome and all should be in plentiful supply by the end of November.

You might also like to consider being vaccinated against pneumococcal disease. It is a bacterium that can cause pneumonia, blood poisoning or meningitis. Certain medical conditions and advancing age can make you more likely to develop a serious infection. Again, contact your GP surgery for more information.

Keep Warm, Keep Well

This is a national campaign to reduce cold-related illness and deaths during winter. They have provided a booklet giving advice on keeping warm and healthy, home improvements grants, heating your home, and help with your bills. For a free copy of the booklet please ring 0870 155 5455, and when prompted select option 4. For further details contact Ken or Pauline at the Carers' Support Service.

No Computer?

If you would like a printout of a document described in our newsletters but you have no access to a computer ring the Carers' Support Service and we will print it off for you.

Living Wills, Powers of Attorney

The Mental Capacity Act came into force on 1st October this year providing a statutory framework to empower and protect vulnerable people who find themselves unable to make their own decisions. Living Wills have now become Advance Decisions. Enduring Powers of Attorney have become Lasting Powers of Attorney. Further details can be found on the Internet in the Office of Public Guardian's web site www.publicguardian.gov.uk.

Help For Bladder Problems

A leaflet, “Bladder Weakness and Incontinence, A Carer's Guide,” has been published, and we have some copies available at West Lodge. If you would like a copy ring Ken or Pauline. Or, ring Allanda on 0845 094 2742 and request a copy direct from them.

Carers Coffee Afternoons

The King's Head hotel have told us they are now unable to offer us the use of their room. We have been trying to find another venue to hold them, but without success, so until further notice the coffee afternoons are no longer running. If a carer would like an informal chat and a coffee please ring Pauline on 489999. Any ideas for another venue?

Stressbusters

Please note that there will be no Stressbusters in December or January, but it will start up again on Monday 11th February 2008.

Diary Dates

Friday 14th December: Christmas Carers Together, 10.30am to 12.00pm. Enterprise House, Valley Street. Socialise with other carers and staff. Ring 357533 to book a place.

Thursday 20th December: Mental Health Carers Coffee Afternoon, 1.30 to 3.00pm. Reflections (4 Woodland Road.) Ring Sona for further details on 357533.

Friday 19th January 2008: Carers Together, 2.00 to 3.30pm. Binns Restaurant (top floor) A coffee and a chat with fellow carers.

Monday 11th February 2008: Stressbusters, 1.30 to 3.00pm. Enterprise House, Valley Street.

Carers Darlington:

Tuesdays: Weekly Drop-in at Age Concern, Bradbury House, 10.00am - 12.00 noon.

Fridays: Weekly Drop-in at Age Concern, Bradbury House, 12.00 noon - 2.00pm.

Please note - Carers UK will be closed after Tuesday 11th December, opening again on Friday 4th January 2008.