Carers Parliament & Summit, Hospitals and proper support

Hi guys, I've been busy again this month and it's been all go!
Hospital hopping...

This week we managed the Ayrshire hospital hop tour - Ayrshire Central with my Dad and then a hop across to both University Ayr and Crosshouse hospitals with Coo. I'm hoping to just stay away from them for a wee while now we've done the tour! Sometimes caring just all comes together with a rush of clinical appointments and so it was this week!

I had to cancel meetings and rearrange care but thankfully we got there in the end!

Sometimes forward planning goes right out the window but working together usually pulls things back on track and proper support makes all the difference in the world as it enables some choice and control so I don't feel overwhelmed by it all and that's changed days!
Carers Parliament...
The Carers Parliament went well.
It's probably the only time where carers from all over Scotland get to come together, speak to those in power who can really make changes (Joe FitzPatrick MSP) was the speaker this time. Carers also share good practice, find out what's happening other places and generally go back and push for better services in there own area! What's not to like?
SDS (self directed support)...
SDS being in place means I can take off up to Edinburgh, stay over and join with other carers at the Parliament knowing Coo is well cared for and just fine at home, previously I just wouldn't have been able to go at all!
The uptake of SDS in relatively low and that's a shame considering all the positives as when it's implemented as intended, really person centred, it can be totally life changing!
Carers Scotland Summit...
Tom Arthur MSP co-convenor of cross-party on carers was the speaker this time.

It seems there's a lot of good work happening but it's not well known by carers in general so we'll need to push for more information filtering through if this is going to work more effectively...so we did...push I mean!
I truly feel it's only by working together we can really change things for carers!
Stay strong friends
((hugs))
Maz.

#2 Carers Rights Day...What's changed this year?

Hi guys, looking back at my 'Carers Rights Day' post from last year...
http://mazcarer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/carers-rights-day.html
Has anything changed?
It's all still so very relevant and in some areas yes there's been changes but in so many important ones I'd have to say no!
SDS (Self Directed Support)
Our SDS care package, is still working well and for us a lot of the uncertainty, stress and struggles with the practical side of caring have been reduced and we're so grateful for the help and assistance we have but I'm very conscious, it's not so for most Carers and on that front I fear, this year there has been little movement.
DWP Welfare Reform
The issues surrounding Carers and Welfare Reform are still very much a worry for disabled people and their Carers and with the push continuing to hurt the most vulnerable in our society it seems likely this suffering is set to continue and isn't that a depressing thought!

I have really tried this year, tried to make sure Carers voices are heard and in the places where policy is influenced and made! For now, I really feel that's the only way we can begin to make any positive moves for change - so be it, Summit, Conference, policy or board meeting, I've pushed the real issues Carers face, in hopes those who make law and can positively influence things will understand and make the necessary changes!

Stay strong my friends, better days must surely be coming!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

My Carers Rights Day, Strategy, Nails & Networking...

Hi guys, my Carers Rights Day went really well and I had some fun too!

Luckily I had respite arranged for the day so I didn't need to do the usual crash and grab, top speed and rushed affair so could relax and enjoy things, in fact the whole day had a leisurely feel to it for a change!

I got over to the Carers Centre (it's a few towns away!) for ten o'clock and started the day with a nail job and not the usual kind for me (hammer, usually followed with sore fingers!) but the shiny, pretty fingernail type! While the nail lady shaped and painted them pretty, I had time for a wee think!
It's a long while since I made the time and had such a simple thing done for me. For some reason I got quite a kick out of it, I didn't think I would and I nearly didn't book a slot at all but I'm so glad I changed my mind - I felt really great afterwards!

It's so easy to just keep putting yourself last in the 'need to do list' and I just realised, I do it all the time! For Carers, there's always a big pull on your time and emotions, it's easy to forget to make time for you!
I mean, I could have used some respite hours and booked a pampering slot a fair few times over the last year but appointments, meetings, general busy-ness and Carer-life tasks, kinda got in the way!
so...
I've decided I need to try a bit harder!

It was Carers Rights Day so I'd more in mind than nice nails and lunch! There was a legal advisor on hand from the local lawyers office with some free advice so I had a meeting to at last begin the POA (Power of Attorney) process and never one to miss a chance to network and push Carer issues where I can! I managed to raise some concerns with both the Council's Carer Champion and head of Social Services! They're both nice guys who are interested and want to help Carers and people with disabilities so I'm confident they'll take the issues  forward so...watch this space!
Last and definitely not least...
Our Local Authority launched the Carers Strategy!

This is the strategy, written with the input and full involvement of Carers from our local area. Carers were involved, from the initial direction this document would take, right through the process and through the Carers Strategy Group, hopefully to the successful delivery of the services it holds!
It's a good strategy for Carers, it's in language people can easily understand but more importantly it offers good support and information! Will it be successful? Will it deliver? We will see!

So what were the day's highlights?

*I had some pampering and felt better for the experience!


*I raised issues with those in a position to address them and...I'll chase down answers too! lol

*Our Carers Strategy launched! That's the one other Carer friends and I helped shape!

 All in all, I had a good Carers Rights Day this year!
Hope you managed a wee time out too!
(((hugs)))
Maz x