Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

Our lead story is a bit of a “mixed bag “ , the news that short-term funding boosts from Government have helped reduce the number of people waiting for care and increased support for people at home is of course positive However the report points out that increases in care delivered are not keeping pace with increased needs

This report has once again unveiled a distressing reality that demands immediate attention and which will come as a surprise to nobody

The survey sheds light on the dire state of care waiting lists and the unmet needs of vulnerable individuals within our society, revealing a staggering increase in the number of people waiting for adult social care services This surge in demand is a clear reflection of an overstretched system unable to meet the needs of those who depend on it most

Behind the statistics lie stories of individuals and families grappling with the consequences of unmet needs Our elderly individuals with disabilities and those with chronic illnesses are left in precarious situations, unable to access the vital services they so desperately require

This systemic failure not only compromises their physical and mental health but also places an unnecessary burden on their loved ones who are often thrust into the role of unpaid caregivers, and I suspect the entire healthcare system would collapse without them but it is a desperately unfair burden to place on family members friends and neighbours

The repercussions of the care waiting list crisis extend beyond the immediate individuals affected As we fail to address these pressing needs we witness a ripple effect across society Delays in accessing care result in increased hospital admissions prolonged stays and greater strain on healthcare services Furthermore delayed interventions can lead to preventable deterioration of health and well-being ultimately resulting in higher costs for the healthcare system in the long run We must recognize that investing in social care is not only a moral imperative but also a practical step toward an efficient and sustainable healthcare system

The ADASS spring survey serves as a clarion call for immediate action The government must recognise the urgency of the situation and allocate adequate resources to address the growing care waiting lists in particular the £600 million social reform fund they have yet to administer to the sector

Investment in social care must be prioritised not only to clear the backlog but also to ensure sustainable and accessible services for all who need them

Moreover it is incumbent upon the government and local authorities to work collabo- ratively with social care providers, communities and advocacy groups to devise innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our society including technology-driven solutions improving workforce training and recruitment, and establishing better integration between health and social care systems

It is clear by the sector s reaction that the findings of the ADASS spring survey demand immediate attention and decisive action The care waiting list crisis exposes the vulnerable position of individuals in need, the strain placed on caregivers, and the wider societal implications It is time for society to come together acknowledge the urgency of this issue, and commit to providing adequate resources and support to address the unmet needs of our most vulnerable citizens Let us not stand idle as the care waiting lists grow; let us be the catalysts of change and advocates for a compassionate and robust social care system that leaves no one behind

I was also very sorry to hear of the sad death of footballing legend Gordon McQueen I am of the age group that can remember Gordon in his heyday, a towering an imposing centre back who was bought by Leeds in the early 70s to replace another towering legend Jack Charlton

Gordon went on to have a glorious top-flight career and was sadly diagnosed with vascular dementia, the second most common cause of dementia

I can remember the footballs of the 1970s leather lace up case balls which on a wet day were heavy as medicine balls!

Great football fan though I am the statistic that footballers 3 5 times more likely to suffer dementia is alarming I understand that in Scotland rules announced by the Scottish Football Association last year will limit training exercises involving repeated heading to once a week and all heading is banned the day before and after a match

There are growing calls for the dementia in football to be considered an industrial disease and I have to say the case is very strong

This is a subject we do hope to expand on and I will be putting out an alert for some expert input!

Watch out for our Afternoon Tea Week competition coming soon We had a wonderful response last year - nobody celebrates tradition like those in care homes - and we will once again we are delighted to say be putting up a fantastic prize for a lucky winner!

So please keep your stories coming - we are always delighted to publish some wonderful stories from various homes around the country from birthdays to fund raising from baking to growing vegetable Anything you would like to share please do send it to me at editor@thecareruk com