A SETTLE author and leading autism expert has warned that a lack of investment in training support staff looking after those with autism and dementia is leaving the most vulnerable without basic care - nationallly, where care is provided, staff pay is minimal and quality of care patchy.

Now in her 80s, Dr Phoebe Caldwell has just written her 11th book – Driving South to Inverness – which follows her move into sheltered accommodation and looks at the challenges of ageing.

She pointed out that recent research shows more than a million older people in the UK need care but do not receive it.

In addition, while the number of people with autism continues to increase, access to specialist care and support remains limited.

“Government cutbacks are having a particularly disastrous effect on training," she said. "Staff numbers are being pruned to the point where it is no longer possible for service providers to release unskilled staff or specialist autism or dementia training, both of which place high demands on carers.”

The book is a departure from Dr Caldwell's academic volumes, and tackles issues of ageing from her own personal experience, with insight and humour.

She wants to use the launch of her memoir to call upon the Government to invest more in training care staff so that people living with severe autism, and also those with dementia, receive the day-to-day care they need to ensure their basic needs are met.

Dr Caldwell added: "Growing old isn't all doom and gloom.

"However, without the right care it can be far harder than it needs to be. Sadly, I've seen the same in my work with families living with autism.

"At present, care staff are being thrown into situations they are not equipped to deal with, since they have had little or no relevant training. Providing carers with specialist training could transform the level of care they can provide and, most importantly, the lives of those they are trying to help.”

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