Today we found out that for many thousands of children in England, everyday life isn't just a matter of going to school and playing with friends, but involves providing regular care for an ill or disabled parent, grandparent or sibling.

Disabled people may be unable to share a room with their husband, wife or partner, simply because their disability causes pain and discomfort which means neither of them can sleep properly. They might be unable to share a room if assistive equipment disrupts sleep.

The feeling out there right now appears to be one of near panic, with a hideous sense of insecurity over what plans are being drawn up to dump the chronically sick and disabled on the scrapheap of dependence upon others, in the name, ostensibly, of prudent public spending.

Caring should matter to all of us. One in 10 of us is a carer. Carers often have to give up work to care, or end up with health problems of their own. If carers reach the point of exhaustion and being unable to cope, this helps no-one.

The key in all this is to remember that it's not so called "challenging behaviour" it's actual challenging behaviour. My coccyx and fingers have been broken not "so called broken" but actually broken. Because that's what caring for someone with challenging behaviours is like. Not "so called" like, actually like.

Today is Older People's Day - a welcome celebration of the contribution that older people make to society. There will be much written, and still more done, to underline the importance of building bonds and relationships between people of all ages. Less, however, might be said about the issue of 'active ageing', what it means to older people and how we might achieve it.

It is entirely possible that this will be the first government in modern history to leave a simpler, fairer and more straightforward care system than the one it inherited from its predecessor.

Government policy on carers and employment is all over the place. On the one hand they realise that unpaid carers are a vital group who we need to keep in that role because otherwise it would cost the country a fortune, but on the other hand they want them to work.

As we mark Carers Week, it is worth recalling that the word "carer" applies to two groups of people.

Offering a better deal for family care would help make the case for higher spending on social care.