In these cash strapped times care provision is overwhelmingly directed at meeting physical needs, such as help with personal care and meal provision. Funding to combat isolation and loneliness, such as day care services, has been cut dramatically, often leaving the voluntary sector to fill the gaps. Many of our clients feel that as a result they just have to get on with it and worryingly accept that this is what life is like, something that is particularly evident in carers that we work with as well.
We would love to see more funding – rather than just ‘recognition’ - for services that support and maintain mental health in later life, from support groups and social activities to counselling and respite care.
We are proud to support the Musical Memories Cafe and are committed to providing advice and representation to enable our clients to ‘prepare for care’ with the resounding message that mental ill health is NOT an inevitable part of getting older!