New book on support to older people published

‘This is an invaluable book for anyone involved in planning care for elderly loved ones. It is both highly personal and supremely professional. It is a book about practice, written from the heart, and littered liberally with gems of insight and practical tips.'

News | 11.04.12

Fellow of the Centre Chris Moon-Willems has just published an important new book "Relative Matters" on care and support for older people.

"This is an invaluable book for anyone involved in planning care for elderly loved ones. It is both highly personal and supremely professional. It is a book about practice, written from the heart, and littered liberally with gems of insight and practical tips." Margaret Bamford OBE Deputy Lord Lieutenant for West Sussex, CEO Leaves of Hope children’s charity.

The launch of the book "Relative Matters" coincides with the passing of the radical and controversial Health and Social Care Act 2012 Chris, director of an elderly care consultancy, is concerned that creating the biggest shake up of the NHS since it began means that the focus on the care crisis of older people has been lost, putting at risk the dignity and independence of older people. She is outraged by the current system, which offers no help for older people arranging care if they have over £23,250 of savings. With an ageing population and national budget cutbacks, Chris fears the situation will only get worse. She says:

“One in four people in the UK will need care when they get older but the majority do not plan for this. It is extremely stressful for older people who suddenly find themselves in the position of ‘first time buyer’ when choosing long term care solutions which often have to be found quickly and typically without professional support. In such situations people are rarely well informed about either what they need and what is available to support them. My book explains the range of options available and shows that elderly people can still be treated as dignified individuals, which is so important.”

For more information about the book "Relative Matters" please follow the link at the right hand side of this page.

Chris Moon-Willems is owner of Relative Matters, an independent care consultancy Chris founded after working with Social Services for 33 years and the NHS for 5 years.

During this time Chris was one of the national pioneers for personal budgets when she led pilots in West Sussex for Social Services and the Primary Care Trust. She was also seconded to the Department of Health to coach and mentor professionals from the NHS and social services departments across the South East region and used her parents' story to inspire and educate her audience.

To receive a review copy of "Relative Matters" or to speak to Chris Moon-Willems please contact Catrina Laskey on 01603 219191 or email catrina@reflectionpr.co.uk.

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