CARERS UK Formerly CNA
SUPPORTING ALL CARERS
CHAIRMAN: Mrs. D. Rodger
WEST LANCS CARERS CENTRE Hillside Health Centre,
Tanhouse Road, Skelmersdale WN8 6DS
Tel/Fax: 01695 735420 HELPLINE: 0800 174877
email: centre@westlancscarers.co.uk
web: www.westlancscarers.co.uk

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Editorial....
Welcome to our Autumn Newsletter.
We are at present extensively updating our Database.
We realise that some former carers who have been caring for a lifetime, have made friends over the years with other carers still want to remain within the Branch – this is quite in order.
They are very active in the many ways they support us: by becoming Committee Members, buying tickets for all our trips and events, selling tickets for us, visiting our Monday Group (which is for all carers & former carers) or helping in other ways, too numerous to mention.
However, there may be some former carers who no longer wish to remain in the Branch receiving all our information etc., and therefore would like to be deleted from our database –
bearing in mind that costs of printing, envelopes, labels and postage are continually rising.
We have had instances where the former carer has moved away, and either the house has remained empty or new occupants have thrown our letters away thinking they are “Junk
Mail.” This all adds to the costs involved.
If you are a former carer and feel that you do not need or wish to remain a member of the branch, receiving our Newsletters & information, CAN YOU PLEASE RING OUR FREE HELP LINE 0800 174 877. JUST LEAVE YOUR NAME & ADDRESS IF THE ANSWER PHONE IS ON.
We can then delete your name from our database.
Please assist us in keeping our costs down.
Thank you.

At the last meeting the Monday Group went on a short trip to Cedar Farm at Mawdesley. Whilst they were there they had a light lunch, which was subsidised by the Branch.
This group has a flexible and informal membership – more of a dropin really. We have both Carers & Former Carers coming, in fact, one former carer who supports us in many ways, travels from Ormskirk!
We meet on the first Monday of every month from 11.30 to 1.30pm in the lounge of the Digmoor Community Rooms; there is ample parking, and also disabled access.
If you feel you might be interested, there is no obligation of course, just ring our Carers Office on 01695 735420 to find out more. (Our office hours are Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 1.00pm). Sue will then put you on the Monday Group mailing list to keep you informed of what is happening.
We are applying for funding for this group, and if successful, will hopefully be able to extend the activities etc.
If you have no transport, let us know, we might be able to provide
a lift for you

In our last Newsletter we appealed for articles etc. from our Members, and we were delighted when Mr. Derek Andrews sent us the following: Mr. Andrews cares for his wife. We have printed it in its entirety as we felt it was so informative.

Avoid Care Home Confusion and get the financial help
you are entitled to

If you’ve had the unfortunate experience of finding a care home for someone who you’ve been caring for or considering one for your own future, then you might have found that it can be a difficult and confusing experience.
To make it a little easier, you need to know what problems may stand in your way, what you are entitled to and where to go for the advice you need.
The main thing that may effect any allowances is the property you own. If it’s owned by yourself, it will be included in the calculation of your assets, however, if your partner or another elderly relative continues to reside there it is not allowed to be taken into the calculations. Nor can it be taken into account if it is co-owned by a relative.
Therefore, if you own a property and ever need to go into care, it is worth seeking advice on making arrangements for a member of your family to take over co-ownership of the property, That way it will be excluded from from the calculations of your assets, enabling you to more financial help.
Take professional advice before taking this route.
If your property has to be taken into account, it shouldn!t be taken into account for the twelve weeks after moving into care. This is a rule that is often overlooked and people miss out on receiving the aid they should.

Know the difference between ‘personal’ and ‘nursing’ care.

Personal care covers things like washing, cleaning and cooking.
Nursing care relates to anything that has to be provided by the medical profession.
If you have assets of less than £13,000 the local authority will pay for all of your personal care1.
Between £13,000 and £21,500, they’ll still pay part of the cost.

Extra Entitlements
Everyone in care is entitled to an attendance allowance. The current rate is
£43.15 a week for anyone who only need care in the day and £64.50 for those who need assistance day and night.
For those who need nursing care a special NHS allowance should be provided at a rate of £101.00 per week. And if your needs are especially complicated you may be entitled to ‘NHS Continuing Care’ This means the local authority should pay for the total cost of the nursing care!
If when first entering a nursing home the criteria for are not met, it does not mean you will never be entitled, as conditions can, unfortunately, deteriorate. If this happens, a review should be carried out to re-assess your entitlement.

Taking the matter into your own hands.

Unfortunately, it is becoming more necessary to pay ‘top-ups’ out of your own pocket to get the care for your loved ones. But before you pay the costs yourself and end up running down your savings or selling your home, you should know, this doesn’t have to be the case. It is suggested that one of the most effective ways of paying for care home fees is to take out an ‘immediate needs annuity’. Once set up these can take care of the cost for the rest of your
life. More information on this subject can be found at the website of Saga, www.saga.co.uk?money-shop/care-funding or the NHFA at www.nhfa.co.uk
The main thing to remember when looking into care is that help is available and before you take on the burden yourself, you should make sure you receive all possible help from the local authority.

On September 10th we held our AGM with lunch. The speaker this year was Mr. Peter Cousins MBE from the Brighter Futures Workshop. He spoke eloquently about this project, and it was clear to all of us that he was very committed & involved, but could see the humorous side
to all situations. He said he could not believe he had been awarded the MBE – he was just a “scally from Liverpool.” With dedication and humour like that it is no wonder that all the youngsters who receive training at the workshops (all have physical or learning disabilities)
develop and become part of the community.
Following his talk, our AGM followed its normal Agenda, with all motions etc, being accepted.

Newsletter Index

Lancashire College
Carers Project
Following a meeting I attended last week in Chorley with The Lancashire College Carers
Project, Donna Galway has emailed us the following information regarding 48 hour
residential courses at the College for 2009. If you are a current Carer, or ceased your
caring role within the last two years you are eligible to attend. If you don’t have transport
don’t worry, either the college or we will see that you get there.
The accommodation and food is first class, at very reasonable rates – the courses are
fun, and there is a lot of free time (with bar) to relax and chat with your new friends. If you
want to know more, Donna Galway can be contacted on 01257 276719, or email her on
Donna.Galway@ed.lancscc.gov.uk or you can contact us on our free help line 0800 174
877, and we will contact Donna on your behalf.

Jan 30 – 1 Feb. W/end 48 hours.
T’ai Chi, Emotional Freedom Technique,
Relaxation Techniques, Aromatherapy.
Mar 20 – 22. W/end 48 hours.
Be your Own Life Coach. (This is a full course on this subject, in depth)
Apr 28 – 30. Tues – Thurs. 48 hours.
No further information on this course. (Contact college)
June 26 – 28. W/end. 48 hours
No further information at this time. (Contact College)
Sep 18 – 20. W/end. 48 hours.
No further information. (Contact College)
Oct 16 – 18. W/end. 48 hours.
No further information. (Contact College)
Nov 18 – 20. Wed to Fri. 48 hours.
No further information. (Contact College).

A Number of Carers & Former Carers came to our Taster Session on Indian Head Massage
– and from the feedback we received, everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. We are eager to
run some more “out-reach” courses in our own area (one session per week) to hopefully
brighten up the winter months – how about some suggestions from you?

There is a course on Computers where a laptop can be loaned from the college for you
to practice on at home – with help at the end of the telephone. How about a course on
making your own jewellery – ideal for those last minute gifts, - dried flower arranging: water
colour painting: barge ware painting: lotions & potions (making your own hand and face
cream etc.): tracing your family tree THE LIST IS ENDLESS. We would like any of your
suggestions, and if possible then Lancashire College will do their best to help. Phone our
Help Line. Many people do not like leaving messages if the answer phone is on – just leave
your name & telephone number, and we will contact you without fail.

A Date for Your Diary.
Friday December 5th is the Day – Asda (Skelmersdale) is hopefully the venue,
and we shall be sharing the stand (as last year) with the West Lancashire Sitting-in-
Service). We would love any of our Branch members to come and see us – telephone
our office on 01695 735420 for further details. Maybe even some of you would like
to come and help for an hour or so to talk to carers.

NEWS FROM CARERS UK London

The Select Committee recommend overhaul of carers’ benefits. (Sep 2008)
The Committee made a large number of recommendations covering the responsibilities of the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) & the Government as a whole.
(There are too many to print in this Newsletter, but if anyone wants a copy, please ring the help line and a copy will be sent to you.)

What happens next?

The Government is required to formally respond to these recommendations within three months.
For further information contact our Senior Policy & Public Affairs Office on Kate.groucutt@carersuk.org or 0207378 4936.
Note: The document is copyright to CARERS UK. It may be photocopied or reproduced but any test must be credited to CARERS UK as holders of the copyright.

The New Employment & Support Allowance.

On 27th October 2008 the ESA will be introduced. If you are a carer whose ability to work is also limited by ill health or disability, we can send you a copy of the policy information to check to see if and how the changes might affect you.
Ring our Free Helpline for a copy or you can phone the main free CarersLine on 0808 808 7777 (Wed & Thurs 10am to 12 noon and 2 to 4pm).

Newsletter Index

An Apology
We had hoped to enclose our Annual Appeal envelope in with this Newsletter, but
unfortunately, we have not been able to do so. Joan, the Committee Member who was preparing these was not able to do so due to the fact that her husband for whom she cares was quite poorly, and was hospitalised.
Obviously her priorities were due to him, but we are pleased to report that Peter is now
out of hospital and on the road to recovery.
Hopefully these will be available in the not too distant future.

Bowel Cancer Screening Programme

This programme is being offered by Bowel Cancer UK who are a registered charity working to reduce the number of deaths from bowel cancer by providing education, information, campaigning and support for anyone worried about, or effected by the disease. There are
specialist nurses giving advice on bowel cancer, symptoms, screening, treatments and prevention via telephone and support service.
The Bowel Cancer Screening programme offer screening every two years to all men and women aged 60 – 69. If you are over 70 you can ask to take part in the screening.
People in this age group will automatically be sent an invitation, then their screening kit, so that they can do the test at home.
FACTS:
Over 35,000 people are diagnosed with the disease in the UK every year. Almost 50% of people diagnosed will die. Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK.
If you need any more information please telephone BOWEL CANCER ADVISORY SERVICE ON FREEPHONE 0800 8 40 35 40 or if you have access to the internet you can email on advisory@bowelcanceruk.org.uk
Website: www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk

Since our last Newsletter was published I have attended quite a few meetings…
As Chair of the West Lancs Sitting-in-Service I took the AGM meeting in June. This was held at Martin Mere. It was well attended and two Community Officers (Police) spoke about their work – and took questions.
I also recently attended the Annual General Meeting of Shopmobility in Ormskirk. I thank them for their kind invitation.
As I also serve on the Committee for Crossroads, I attended their AGM.
I also serve on the Trustees Committee for Young Carers who held their AGM at the beginning of October, in Ormskirk, which I attended.
It seems a time for AGM’s but everyone seems to be thriving and doing well.
Daphne.

All-Star
Social Night

This was held on September 26th, and we would like to thank everyone who supported us so generously.

The Stanley Institute for their generosity in providing such a good venue at low cost: The West Lancashire Food Bank for all their assistance, Tesco (Burscough) for their generous donation to the raffle, and those other people who generously donated raffle prizes, and to everyone who bought Raffle Tickets, and all those carers & former carers who supported us by buying tickets.

We would also like to extend our very sincere thanks to all those “STARS” who gave their time so freely – as one gentleman put it to me ‘There was something for all Ages’.

Lastly, but by no means least thank you to two of our hardworking Committee Members, namely Freda Cannon who organised it all and Vera Birch our “Raffle” queen!! – believe me, she can
get blood out of a stone. You both deserve Gold Medals.

When all the expenses had been taken out for the catering etc. we raised almost £160.00. Thank you everyone.
Daphne.

Answers to Summer Quiz:

1. Who played sir in TV’s Please Sir? John Alderton
2. Who said “Soldiers win the battles and generals get the credit? Napoleon
3. What sports ball was originally stuffed with boiled feathers? Golf Balls
4. What film introduced the song The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face? Play Misty For Me
5. What flower petals are used by the Royal Family as confetti? Rose
6. Which meat on a roast turkey has more calories, white or dark? Dark
7. What did the words “Open Sesame” open? Ali Baba’s Cave
8. What is the gluteus maximus the largest example of in the human body? A Muscle
9. What was built on the site of an unsolved London murder? Scotland Yard
10. What suspect in the game of Cluedo has the same name as a bird? Mrs Peacock
11. What fraction of an iceberg shows above water? One Ninth
12. Who was the commander of the Starship Enterprise? Captain James T Kirk
13. What is the most popular finishing double in darts? 16
14. What sport did Olga Korbut excel at? Gymnastics
15. Who scored the first televised maximum snooker break? Steve Davies
16. What non-alcoholic syrup is made from pomegranate juice? Grenadine
17. What crop provides us with bright yellow fields in early summer? Grenadine
18. What nuts are used in marzipan? Almonds
19. Who wrote “Wind in the Willows”? Kenneth Graham
20. What adventure tale introduced “Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum”? Treasure Island

Autumn Quiz
1. Who fought the battle of fashions at Brighton in the 1960’s?
2. What Asian leader was known as The Little Brown Saint?
3. What day did Solomon Grundy marry on?
4. What does a gyneophobic fear?
5. What’s the second most common Welsh name?
6. Who said after being shot “Why did they do it?”
7. What country contains the region of Assam?
8. Which has the greater population, Northern Ireland or the Republic?
9. What are lust, pride, anger, envy, sloth, avarice and gluttony?
10. What animals do you find on the stock market?
11. What school did Billy Bunter attend?
12. What golfing accessory was invented by George Grant?
13. What test was the female athlete Ewa Klobukowska the first to fail?
14. What legal movement achieved legal recognition in 1825?
15. What’s an infant eagle called?
16. Who was the first honorary citizen of the USA?
17. What theatre opened in Sheffied in 1972?
18. Which TV personality wrote “Cricket Mad” and Football Daft”?
19. Who tells James Bond where to go?
20. Which English Queen had 17 children and outlived them all?

Brigther
Future Workshop

SERVICE AND REPAIR

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Tel: 01695724361

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AND HOUSEBOUND?

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Telephone: (01695) 422057

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