| EVENT AIMS TO SUPPORT OLDER CARERS |
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Leading TV journalist Donal MacIntyre was today hosting a major conference in Buckinghamshire which aims to offer support to the country's older carers. Latest statistics suggest that there are now 29,000 people with a learning disability in England who live at home with carers aged 70 or over. After a lifetime of round-the-clock caring for their sons and daughters these parents are entitled to live out their old age with some peace of mind for the future. Instead they often live with the constant fear and anxiety of what will happen to their sons or daughters when they are no longer around to care for them. The "Looking Forward" carers' event, organised by Carers Bucks, Mencap and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, aims to show older carers the support that is available and develop practical solutions to any problems they face. The conference will also include an address by Dr Stephen Ladyman MP and workshops where innovative practices and solutions will be discussed. Margaret, aged 67, and Brian, aged 69, have two sons with learning disabilities in their 30s. Sadly, Brian has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer and the couple face great uncertainty in their future. They have had tremendous battles over accessing a short breaks service and Margaret is upset that they had to fight so hard to try to get a break during what could be Brian's last healthy year of life. Now they finally have the short breaks service they need but they believe that local authorities should listen and respond long before families are forced into crisis. They feel that they have been penalised for trying to cope with their situation over the years. Margaret said: "Listen to the families when they ask for help. Offer short breaks at the level the family feel they need - some may need it more than others. "Surely that is not too much to ask after 35 years of caring for two people with learning disabilities?" The couple are calling for the Carer's Allowance to continue for carers over retirement age. Margaret added: "The caring doesn't stop and it is a pittance for 122 hours of caring a week. "We have saved the Government hundreds of thousands of pounds. We have earned our pensions. Give carers an opportunity to retire and stop penalising them financially." The conference will give older carers the opportunity to hear about good practice by local authorities and voluntary organisations working together to tackle this issue. Jo Williams, chief executive of Mencap, said: "We hear from many parents who are over 60 and have been struggling to cope with caring for their son or daughter at home with a learning disability. "They may also have health problems of their own, making it doubly difficult to cope with their full-time caring role. They find they have few opportunities to socialise and get and about, which means they feel very isolated." Mencap has set up various projects around the country that identify older carers and help them plan for the future by accessing services, discussing their needs and concerns, providing information about support, helping them to plan for the future with preparing wills and trusts, short breaks and accommodation, or getting them involved in social activities to meet carers in the same situation. The "Looking Forward" event, which is supported by Buckinghamshire County Council, was taking place today at Adams Park, High Wycombe. For information about learning disability issues please call the Learning Disability Helpline (England) on 0808 808 1111 or visit www.askmencap.info
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