2012

My heart sank when listening to the news yesterday about care in the home for the elderly and disabled.
The government said local authorities were responsible for non-residential care and charges should be affordable.
Shadow health minister Liz Kendall said the services were a "lifeline" for many people and the increases in home care charges for older and disabled people were "a stealth tax on the most vulnerable in society".
Meals on wheels has gone up by 13%and transport up by 33% over the last 2 years.
We are all too aware that councils have to reign in on their spending ,but I do hope in 2012 that the most venerable in our society will be protected from cuts that help them to live independent and fulfilled lives.
The unsung hero's in this is the carer who very often has to sacrifice things in their own lives to look after the ones they love.
So as we say goodbye to 2011 ,we open our arms to 2012.